CIVIL WAR YEARS IN CEDAR COUNTY

 

At the outbreak of the war most of the Cedar County officials were Southern sympathizers, and the records (County Records) were taken South, it is said, by some of them, and hidden in Arkansas. Near the close of the war some Union soldiers discovered the books in a cave in Arkansas, and took them to Springfield, and later they were returned to Cedar County officials.

 

Two companies were recruited in Cedar County for the Union service, and a large number of men from the county attached themselves to other organizations in the area.  The two companies mentioned served seven months in the Seventh Provisional Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia. Nov. 3, 1863 they were mustered into the Fifteenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, as Companies A and M.  P.H. Rohrer was captain of Co. A.; A. C. Montgomery, first lieutenant; and Samuel Hornbeck, second lieutenant.    Dennis H. Connaway was captain of Co. M.;  W. A. McMinn, first lieutenant; and Jesse Spencer, second lieutenant. The Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry saw service in the campaigns against Marmaduke, Shelby and Price, and in scouting in the Southwest.  It was mustered out of service at Springfield, June 30, 1865.  Cedar County's most distinguished Union soldier was Col. Joseph J. Gravely, of the Eighth Missouri State Militia. 

 

The "Stockton Grays", were organized, with about ninety men, with B. F. Walker as captain, and Russell Lilburn as first lieutenant, in 1861.  Capt. J.W. Prowell and Capt. J.A. Musgrove also organized companies in the county, of 80 and 75 men, respectively.  These companies were recruited under Gov. Jackson's call, and attached to the Missouri State Guard; but later most members connected themselves with the Confederate States army, and served until the end of the war.   At Cowskin, where the first general organization was effected, Capt. Walker was made lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, under Col. James Cawthon.  Col. Cawthon was killed at Oak Hill, and Lieut.-Col. Walker was promoted to the colonelcy.  Lieut. Lilburn succeeded to the command of Capt. Walker's company.  Forty men from Walker's company were killed at Oak Hill.   The regiment took part in battles at Lone Jack, Prairie Grove, Lexington and others

 

Transcribed by Kay Snow.