| Missouri League of the South Confederate Memorial Day Speech June 5th, 2004 Fort Davidson State Historic Site, Pilot Knob, Missouri I would like to thank everyone for coming today. At the time that I wrote this speech, I had no idea how many or how few people I would be talking to. It didn’t matter the number of people who showed up because I knew in writing this the people who did show up were true Southerners and wanted to honour the brave me who died here, trying to save Missouri and the South. It has been nearly a year and a half since Governor Holden ordered the removal of the Confederate Battle Flag from the Higginsville Confederate Cemetery, and the Second National Confederate Flag from the pole of the Visitor’s Center here at Fort Davidson. The reasons given were coined by Richard Gephardt while “unofficially” campaigning in South Carolina for the Democratic nomination for the President of the United States. Those reasons were that the two flags were “Hurtful” and “Divisive” to many people in this modern world. But sadly, many people in this modern world are uneducated about the History of Missouri or the reasons Missourians fought in the War Between the States. First of all, History also tells us that the majority of Southerners in Missouri owned small farms, and most held very few slaves if any. In the 1850’s Missouri had a population of 1.2 million people. The number of slaves in Missouri totaled 25,000 or roughly 2% of the state’s total population. In fact, many Missourians wished to remain neutral until the “St. Louis Massacre”. aided many in siding with the South. It has been a little over one year since I first visited Fort Davidson. And one of the things I remembered most about the visit was a film based on the writings of Theodore Russell. I will now read a portion of the article that I wrote after my visit and watching the film. “Russell’s family had immigrated to Missouri from Connecticut and was some of the first settlers to enter Iron, County. The film told the story about the Battle of Pilot Knob from Russell’s view exclusively. Russell had written that he was surprised the Confederates did not kill the families loyal to the Union. He then went on to say that they did forage and take what they needed. He specifically mentioned one Confederate who actually cut a yard of his mother’s carpet and took it with him. Russell also noted that the families were reimbursed by payments of “worthless” Confederate money.” I wanted to use this portion of Mr. Russell’s account of the battle as an opportunity to tell “our” side of the story. It is written in the official records of General Sterling Price and General J. O. Shelby that their troops were under the strictest of orders not to harm any of the citizens or their property. From the official report of General Price’s 1864 Missouri expedition: “The most stringent orders were issued against straggling and pillaging under the severest penalties, and the division commanders earnestly enjoined to use their utmost endeavors to have the order carried into effect in every particular and without delay.” From the official report of General J.O. Shelby: “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 Confederate soldiers killed, burned, and destroyed with vengeance swift as it was merciless, sparing neither age nor sex, and exacting a dark retribution of blood from the citizens and non-combatants. His first acts were to parole and liberate the militia caught at home, place guards over private property, respect the ties of politics and religion, and very soon they went abroad like some vast epidemic, until old men and boys came into his camp in crowds to bless their protector and take the oath of neutrality.” This portion of Shelby’s report reveals something of particular interest. It states that federal paroles had to take an oath of neutrality. Confederate paroles had to take an “Oath of Allegiance” to the United States. The important thing that must be noted in Russell’s account of the Confederate soldier and the yard of carpet that was taken ,is that he did at least attempt to reimburse the property owner for the carpet. Worthless or not, Confederate money was probably the only money the soldier had. Price and Shelby in their reports also tell of what they encountered while passing through Northern Arkansas on their way to Missouri. From General Price’s report: “The towns and villages through which I had passed had been robbed, pillaged, burned, or otherwise destroyed by the enemy, and were nearly deserted by the former inhabitants; in fact, the whole country presented but a scene of devastation” And again from the report of General Shelby: “On the 12th of September I moved camp from Sulphur Rock, Ark., toward Pocahontas in anticipation of the arrival of the army, and on the 19th, after having received my instructions, started for Missouri, and encamped in Doniphan. Before arriving there, however, couriers from Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, of Marmaduke's command, brought information that 100 Federals were in the town and pressing him back. I immediately started forward sufficient re-enforcements, but the enemy fled before reaching them, burning the helpless and ill-fated town.” I found it very ironic that in modern newspaper articles and in political circles, the common Confederate soldier and his symbols are portrayed as “hurtful”, “divisive”, “oppressive”. I have even read in one Veterans Day edition of a Missouri newspaper describe our Confederate soldiers as “thugs” who “terrorized” Missouri’s western border. Why then are the Union atrocities committed not talked about in the public forums? It is simple, the victors write the history. Let me introduce to you some of the men who took part in General Sterling Price’s 1864 Missouri expedition. Some use the term “invasion” to describe this military operation. I refuse to. Price was a native Missourian who was returning to the state to 1. ease the pressure that was being applied to the Confederate forces in the Eastern Theatre. 2. recruit and gain arms, ammunition and supplies for the Department of the Trans-Mississippi. 3. and if all went well, take St. Louis, liberate Missouri , and reinstate Governor Reynolds to the capitol in Jefferson City. Unfortunately that plan fell apart here at Pilot Knob. Instead of bypassing the Fort, Price decided to take it. Believing the Fort to be an easy target, Price did not want the Fort and its garrison at his back on his way to St. Louis and he planned to use the captured arms to supply those of his force that were unarmed. To make a long story short , Price fought his way into Missouri and fought a long and bloody battle here at Fort Davidson. There was a brief bombardment by artillery and then the order to charge the fort was given. The Confederate soldiers charged the fort 3 times . They charged 3 times knowing what lie before them in the fort four 32 pound siege guns, three 24 pound howitzers and six 3-inch ordnance rifles. Later that night the fort was evacuated and the ammunition was set ablaze and exploded. The Confederates thought it was an accident within the fort, while the Yankees were secretly escaping. The day after the battle 1000 dead and wounded brave Confederates lay on the fields before us today. To me this is sacred ground and should be honoured and remembered as such. But instead of being honored these men are currently dishonoured by the media and politicians in the name of Political Correctness. Have you ever wondered who some of these “Hurtful” “Divisive” “Oppressive” men were? Allow me to introduce you to a few who participated in Price’s Military expedition of 1864 and who fought on this ground that we stand on today. Timothy Reeves: Timothy Reeves was born April 28, 1821, in Ash County, North Carolina. It is believed he migrated to Ripley County, Missouri, in 1844. He purchased a farm in the Doniphan , Missouri area and later helped build and establish a Baptist church there, where he became its first minister. I found the following information while researching Col. Timothy Reeves: “Timothy Reeves' first duty in the Confederate Army was as a staff officer in the Third Cavalry Regiment, First Division, Missouri State Guard, CSA. He was among those concerned with protection of the county in the absence of regular troops. Reeves organized a few hundred men known as Reeve's Company of Independent Missouri Scouts” “the Wilson Massacre occurred Christmas Day of 1863. Major James Wilson was a heartless Union officer with a take no prisoner policy. He and his troops rode into town Christmas Day and killed 35 soldiers and 62 civilians, some less than one year old, while they were eating Christmas dinner. When Confederate Colonial Timothy Reeves, a Baptist Minister, learned of this, he and his troops set out to track down Major Wilson and his troop of six men. At the Battle of Pilot Knob, in September 1864, Major James Wilson and six of his men were captured by the Confederates. They were held for one week then turned over to Major Tim Reeves, CSA (called a guerrilla by the Union Forces) of Marmaduke's command. It has never been determined who gave the order, but Major Wilson was taken out and hung, and his men were shot. On June 25, 1865, the Fifteenth Missouri was surrendered to the Union at Jacksonport, Arkansas. Out of some 10,000 men surrendered, Reeves was the only man the Federal authorities refused to parole. Reeves was taken into custody, and transported to St. Louis for execution in retaliation for Wilson's death. A few months later he was released without explanation. Following his release by Union authorities, Timothy quietly returned to Butler County. His home and farm had long ago been destroyed. Reeves made a new life working again for the Cane Creek Baptist Association, re-establishing churches in Butler, Carter, Ripley and Wayne counties. In 1869, the Union Church was established in Doniphan, and Reeves preached there two weeks a month. He did finally return to his old farm near Doniphan in 1871, probably to better minister the Union Church and perhaps to slow down a bit at the age of 50.” A Confederate “thug”? Not hardly. He was a respected minister before and after the war. A peace loving man. He was charged with the defense of Ripley county against the invading Union forces. When those forces under Major Wilson fired into the Christmas gathering of not only soldiers, but women , children and other family members, it was his duty to pursue him and stop him. Maybe it wasn’t such a mystery that the Union army did not follow through with their plans to execute him. After all I’m sure that they too had heard about the “Wilson Massacre”. Jesse Pratt: was born on Jan. 13th, 1864 in the State of Tennessee. He was described as a pioneer and a religious man. He was a veteran of the “Black hawk” wars and fought with the Illinois Mounted Volunteers. After the war Jesse moved to Missouri. In the late 1830’s he became minister of the Black River Church near Black , Missouri and was soon known far and wide for his great revivals. In 1858 he became the minister for the new Baptist church in Ironton , Missouri and served in this role until the beginning of the war. During the war Jesse commanded a squad of “irregulars” that captured the entire garrison of Union troops in Reynolds county, without a single loss of life. Jesse’s squad later became part of the 15th Mo. Cavalry, where he was made Captain of Company N. It is said that Jesse remained active throughout the war and his name can be found in several official pieces of Union correspondence. He too surrendered at Jacksonport Arkansas, on May 11th , 1865. Jesse was the only known minister of Iron County to fight for the Confederacy. It is at this time I would like to introduce you to a third man that participated in the Battle of Pilot Knob. His name was Asa Ladd. And perhaps his story is the most tragic of all . Asa Ladd was born on November 23rd , 1829 in Wayne County, Missouri. In 1849 he married Amy Gaines. The couple had 7 children, (4 sons and 3 daughters). Asa Ladd was a farmer by trade, but enlisted in with the Confederacy on May 10, 1861, in Stoddard County, Missouri. He became part of with Jacksons Co A, Burbridge's Regiment, 4th Missouri Confederate Cavalry. “While in service, Asa had two horses for his own use and was armed at all times, though he never took part in any general engagements; only a number of skirmishes. His outfit served under Marmaduke's command and they were with General Price on his infamous raid into Missouri in 1864. He was captured by the Union army in Sedelia, Mo., on 16 Oct 1864. He was taken to Jefferson City and remained there for eight days, then was sent to Gratiot Street prison in St. Louis on the 25 of Oct 1864. According to his statement, which he made 28 Oct 1864 at the Gratiot Street prison” When word of the death of Major Wilson reached Union General Rosecrans (who was commander of the Department of Missouri) he was determined to take retaliatory action. Rosecrans ordered that six Confederate prisoners were to be executed. “In carrying out this order, only those prisoners who refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Federal Government were selected. These men were marched into a room where they were ordered to draw lots. A container which held marbles or small balls, of which there were six black ones, was held above eye level so the men could not see the color they were drawing. The ones drawing a white marble were paroled - those drawing a black one were to be executed. Remember, the Confederates only required an Oath of Neutrality by their prisoners of war. Asa had been quite adamant in stating that he was a Southern sympathizer and would not take the Oath of Allegiance, consequently, he was among the men selected to draw lots. He was unfortunate in drawing a black marble, and was informed that he was to be shot between the hours of two and four o'clock that afternoon. His five companions in death were: Jas.W. Gates, Co. "H", Third Missouri Cavalry; Harvey H. Blackburn, Co. "A", Coleman's Regiment; John Nichols, Shank's Regiment, Second Missouri Cavalry; Charles W. Minnikin, Co. "A", Crabtree's Cavalry; George F. Bunch, Co "B",third Missouri Cavalry. They all died as they had lived - manly courageous, and steadfast. Of the six executed, Asa was the only man that had been baptized. He had requested that Chaplain McKim place his testament which he had carried with him through the was, on his breast in the coffin. Rev. McKim carried out his wishes. His body rests in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. One can only imagine the feelings and state of mind he must have had when he learned of his fate the next morning. One thing that is certain is that Asa had a strong love for the Lord. He was raised of the Methodist faith; his father pastored the Sadlers Chapel Church in Dexter, Mo” I have given you the stories of 3 men who lived here in Southeast , Missouri. Three men who wished only to defend their homes, their families and their state from invasion. Three religious men who loved the lord dearly. Two of the three men were Baptist ministers. The third the son of a Methodist minister. I stand before you today and ask you the following questions. Do these men seem “Hurtful, Divisive or Oppressive” to you? Do you think slavery was their motivating factor for fighting ? Do you believe that these men were the “thugs” that the Liberal media and the even more Liberal politicians on both sides of the aisle portray them to be? And last but not least. Do these men deserve to be honoured? We all know that these men did not fight for slavery, but for home and family. We know for the most part they only wished to be left alone, and because they were not, they had to fight. We know that these men and even more so, their families and loved ones were the ones who were oppressed, and who were hurt and who are still treated divisively, by the press, the politicians who wish to vilify them in the name of Political Correctness. And we know that yes, these men should indeed be honoured. In closing I would like to read to you the last letter that Asa Ladd wrote to his wife Amy: “Dear Wife and Children: I take my pen with trembling hand to inform you that I will be shot between 2 and 4 o'clock this evening.I have but a few hours to remain in this unfriendly world. There is six of us sentenced to die because of the six Union soldiers that were shot by Reeve's men. My dear wife, don't grieve for me.I want you to meet me in Heaven. I want you to teach the children piety, so that they may meet me at the right hand of God.I can't tell you my feelings but you can form some idea of my feelings when you hear of my fate.I don't want you to let this bear on your mind anymore than you can help, for you are now left to take care of my dear children. Tell them to remember their dear father. I want you to tell my friends that I have gone home to rest.! want you to go to Mr. Connor and tell him to assist you in winding up your business. If he is not there, get Mr Cleveland. If you don't get this letter before St. Francis River gets up, you had better stay there until you can make a crop, and you can go in the dry season. It is now past 4 a.m. I must bring my letter to a close, leaving you in the hands of God. I send you my best love and respects in the hour of death. Kiss all the children for me. You need have no uneasiness about my future state, for my faith is well founded... Good-by Amy, Acey Ladd Asa Ladd, we remember you today, we remember your bravery and honour, and we remember all of Missouri’s son’s who risked their lives so that Missouri might be a free and sovereign state. God Bless the South and All Who love and defend her. Clint E. Lacy Pilot Knob , Missouri June 5th, 2004 Sources for this speech were found at the following URL addresses on the internet: http://www.rosecity.net/cherokee/north_south.html http://www.no-quarter.net/images/reeves.htm http://bjsbytes.com/pratt.htm http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~ladd/asa.htm areas in quotation marks were taken from these sources. . |