Battle of Monroe Station (City)

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The Honorable Thomas A. Harris had been appointed Brigadier General in the Missouri State Guard and had established headquarters at Florida in Monroe County. By July 5, 1861, he had about five hundred men in his company.

Scouts and spies had kept the Federal authorities informed about the movements of these State Guards, and Colonel Smith, stationed at Palmyra, was ordered to march his Federal troops to break up the camp. On Monday evening, July 8, Colonel Smith’s troops went into Monroe City by train. They intended to march by night, and attack General Harris’ camp at daybreak. A severe storm came up and they stayed the night in Monroe City.

Before they left on Tuesday morning, the men had told half the people in Monroe City of their destination and intention. Either feeling sure of his influence or inexperienced in the ways of warfare, Colonel Smith didn’t leave a single guard at Monroe City to protect the town, the railroad, and his own ammunitions. The troops marched out over the prairie and through Swinkey Hills. At Hagar Hill they met about fifty mounted Secessionists under Captain Clay Price, and after a minor skirmish Colonel Smith retired to the Hagar farm for the night. During the afternoon and night reports came in, telling Colonel Smith that he had stirred up a veritable hornet’s nest. Secessionists were swarming all around him. They had gotten to the rear of his forces and were playing havoc with Monroe City. Early on Wednesday, July 10, Colonel Smith began his retreat. Emerging from Swinkey, they discovered the station, its outbuildings, six passenger cars and ten or twelve freight cars in flames.

Colonel Smith marched his ‘Federal troops on into town and took refuge in a two story brick building known as the Seminary. Here they undertook to hold off the State Guards under General Harris. The State Guards fought ineffectively for three days. The Federalists’ ammunition ran short, but they really didn’t need it. A messenger had been sent to Palmyra for help from the Federal troops there, and General Harris had sent for a cannon the Secessionists had hidden near Palmyra.

People gathered on the street. They came in buggies, in wagons, and on horseback. It was like a picnic or a holiday. Since there were no serious casualties during this period of fighting, it can be believed the battling troops were being considerate of their audience, or perhaps just inexperienced. General Harris was a veteran speech maker. It was said he would give a speech, given two people for audience. He didn’t pass up this golden opportunity. At noon Thursday, July 14, the cannon he had sent for hadn’t arrived. He told his audience that it would be foolhardy to try to take the Seminary without that cannon. Many noble lives would be sacrificed. It was his opinion that ‘the best thing to do was to retreat. Colonel Smith was expecting a large reinforcement of Federalists at any time. General Harris closed his speech by ordering his troops to disperse and retire to their encampment and await his further orders.

The troops refused. The cannon arrived and the fighting resumed at one o’clock. The cannon was a nine pounder, and only a few nine pound balls were on hand. After they had been shot . . . doing little damage . . . six pound balls were used. The State Guards hadn’t been too accurate with the nine pound balls. With the six pound ones, it was said the only safe place was immediately in front of the gun. One shell struck the road about thirty feet in front of the muzzle of the gun, ricocheted to the left one-fourth mile, struck a blacksmith’s shop and dispersed a crow of onlookers. They fled to safer quarter declaring they couldn’t stand being fired on by their own men as well as the Yankees.

About 4:40 a train was seen approaching slowly from the east. General Harris had neglected to tear up the railroad tracks as thoroughly as he should have Salt River bridge had been burned, but a transfer had been made easily to get around it, the tracks easily repaired, and the train bearing Federal troops and a gleaming brass cannon was coming to the rescue of Col. Smith’s men. Although the train had been fired upon by Secessionists, only a slight rifle wound in the engineer’s arm had resulted.

As the beleaguered Federal troops at the Seminary set up a loud cheer, the Federal soldiers on the train opened up the cannon with grape shot . . . and the State Guard broke rank and skedaddled in short order. On no order at all. Eyewitnesses described the scene as highly ludicrous. The many spectators came in handy. Would-be soldiers hid their guns and sought safety in the buggies and wagons with the women and children. Others galloped away, wildly. The prairie swarmed with buggies, wagons, horsemen, and retiring soldiers on toot. The battle . . . or picnic . . . was over. Wild rumors of the battle had been circulated and reinforcements had been sent out from Illinois. By Friday, July 15, the day alter the battle, two thousand Federal troops had moved on to Palmyra, on the way to Monroe City. Colonel U. S. Grant arrived and moved on to Mexico when he learned the battle was over.

So began and ended, the first Civil War Battle in northeast Missouri. Probably one of the very few battles in history to have women and children as interested spectators from choice. Badly executed on both sides. The Union landed here in eighteen cars and went off on their expedition, leaving them without guard and quickly became outnumbered and trapped. While the MSG simply took potshots at em after treeing them in the Seminary, and unlike at Lexington siege later had neither the strength or foresight to prevent reinforcements .

The most famous participant was US Grant who arrives late as reinforcements. However he notes in memoirs approaching Monroe with trepidation, and upon arriving to find them gone, says that's when he realized they were as scared of him as he was of them.

Col Smith was of the 16th Illinois, however the force he took on the expedition consisted:
Co F and H 16th Illinois
Co A,F,H, and K of the 3rd Iowa
Capt Loomis Co of Hannibal Home Guard
And 1 6lb cannon, about 5-600 men total

The MSG probally swelled to between 1500-2000 hard to say exactly how many were enlisted, accounts have civilians coming too with their guns to see the tree'd Yankees and take potshots as well
 
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The Honorable Thomas A. Harris had been appointed Brigadier General in the Missouri State Guard and had established headquarters at Florida in Monroe County. By July 5, 1861, he had about five hundred men in his company.

Scouts and spies had kept the Federal authorities informed about the movements of these State Guards, and Colonel Smith, stationed at Palmyra, was ordered to march his Federal troops to break up the camp. On Monday evening, July 8, Colonel Smith’s troops went into Monroe City by train. They intended to march by night, and attack General Harris’ camp at daybreak. A severe storm came up and they stayed the night in Monroe City.

Before they left on Tuesday morning, the men had told half the people in Monroe City of their destination and intention. Either feeling sure of his influence or inexperienced in the ways of warfare, Colonel Smith didn’t leave a single guard at Monroe City to protect the town, the railroad, and his own ammunitions. The troops marched out over the prairie and through Swinkey Hills. At Hagar Hill they met about fifty mounted Secessionists under Captain Clay Pierce, and after a minor skirmish Colonel Smith retired to the Hagar farm for the night. During the afternoon and night reports came in, telling Colonel Smith that he had stirred up a veritable hornet’s nest. Secessionists were swarming all around him. They had gotten to the rear of his forces and were playing havoc with Monroe City. Early on Wednesday, July 10, Colonel Smith began his retreat. Emerging from Swinkey, they discovered the station, its outbuildings, six passenger cars and ten or twelve freight cars in flames.

Colonel Smith marched his ‘Federal troops on into town and took refuge in a two story brick building known as the Seminary. Here they undertook to hold off the State Guards under General Harris. The State Guards fought ineffectively for three days. The Federalists’ ammunition ran short, but they really didn’t need it. A messenger had been sent to Palmyra for help from the Federal troops there, and General Harris had sent for a cannon the Secessionists had hidden near Palmyra.

People gathered on the street. They came in buggies, in wagons, and on horseback. It was like a picnic or a holiday. Since there were no serious casualties during this period of fighting, it can be believed the battling troops were being considerate of their audience, or perhaps just inexperienced. General Harris was a veteran speech maker. It was said he would give a speech, given two people for audience. He didn’t pass up this golden opportunity. At noon Thursday, July 14, the cannon he had sent for hadn’t arrived. He told his audience that it would be foolhardy to try to take the Seminary without that cannon. Many noble lives would be sacrificed. It was his opinion that ‘the best thing to do was to retreat. Colonel Smith was expecting a large reinforcement of Federalists at any time. General Harris closed his speech by ordering his troops to disperse and retire to their encampment and await his further orders.

The troops refused. The cannon arrived and the fighting resumed at one o’clock. The cannon was a nine pounder, and only a few nine pound balls were on hand. After they had been shot . . . doing little damage . . . six pound balls were used. The State Guards hadn’t been too accurate with the nine pound balls. With the six pound ones, it was said the only safe place was immediately in front of the gun. One shell struck the road about thirty feet in front of the muzzle of the gun, ricocheted to the left one-fourth mile, struck a blacksmith’s shop and dispersed a crow of onlookers. They fled to safer quarter declaring they couldn’t stand being fir on by their own men as well as the Yankees.

About 4:40 a train was seen approaching slowly from the east. General Harris had neglected to tear up the railroad tracks as thoroughly as he should have Salt River bridge had been burned, but a transfer had been made easily to get around it, the tracks easily repaired, and the train bearing Federal troops and a gleaming brass cannon was coming to the rescue of Col. Smith’s men. Although the train had been fired upon by Secessionists, only a slight rifle wound in the engineer’s arm had resulted.

As the beleaguered Federal troops at the Seminary set up a loud cheer, the Federal soldiers on the train opened up the cannon with grape shot . . . and the State Guard broke rank and skedaddled in short order. On no order at all. Eyewitnesses described the scene as highly ludicrous. The many spectators came in handy. Would-be soldiers hid their guns and sought safety in the buggies and wagons with the women and children. Others galloped away, wildly. The prairie swarmed with buggies, wagons, horsemen, and retiring soldiers on toot. The battle . . . or picnic . . . was over. Wild rumors of the battle had been circulated and reinforcements had been sent out from Illinois. By Friday, July 15, the day alter the battle, two thousand Federal troops had moved on to Palmyra, on the way to Monroe City. Colonel U. S. Grant arrived and moved on to Mexico when he learned the battle was over.

So began and ended, the first Civil War Battle in northeast Missouri. Probably one of the very few battles in history to have women and children as interested spectators from choice. Badly executed on both sides. The Union landed here in eighteen cars and went off on their expedition, leaving them without guard and quickly became outnumbered and trapped. While the MSG simply took potshots at em after treeing them in the Seminary, and unlike at Lexington siege later had neither the strength or foresight to prevent reinforcements .

The most famous participant was US Grant who arrives late as reinforcements. However he notes in memoirs approaching Monroe with trepidation, and upon arriving to find them gone, says that's when he realized they were as scared of him as he was of them.

Col Smith was of the 16th Illinois, however the force he took on the expedition consisted:
Co F and H 16th Illinois
Co A,F,H, and K of the3rd Iowa
Capt Loomis Co oh Hannibal Home Guard
And 1 6lb cannon, about 5-600 men total

The MSG probally swelled to between 1500-2000 hard to say exactly how many were enlisted, accounts have civilians coming too with their guns to see the tree'd Yankees and take potshots as well
apologize for any inconvience, kinda messed up making lengthy post, so had to redo part of it
 
Trying to determine MSG OOB, but situation was fluid with MSG still organizing so hard to determine.....

Brig Gen Harris was 2nd Division staff and commander for awhile.

The Artillery was the Palmyra Lt Artillery Battery 2nd Div MSG (Kneisely's Batt) at the time it had a 9lb and a 6lb cannon, but the 6lbr hadn't been mounted on carriage yet

The force that captures and destroys the train station and cars is Co A, 4th Batt Cav, 2nd Div MSG
The force that makes initial contact at Hagar Hill is Co C, 4th Batt Cav, 2nd Div MSG
The 1 killed during siege was Co A, 3rd Regt Cav, 2nd Div MSG

Casualties at Hagar Hill were Union 4 wounded, MSG 1 KIA
during the siege Union 3 wounded, MSG 1 killed by accidental discharge of own gun, 1 wounded, and a dog shot by a stray shot (side not determined)
 
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Eyewitness account

Copy of letter written August 3, 1861, by A. Warner, a resident of Monroe City, to his nephew in Ohio.

Mr. S. C. Warner Unionville, OH

Monroe, August 3, 1861

Dear Stephen:

Since my last letter to you startling events have occurred here. Our place here seemed destined at one time to become one of the seats of war in Missouri. We have heard the roar of the cannon, the whistling of the balls, and have seen the smoke of cannon brought to bear in hostile array by brethren against each other — almost a bloodless battle. God grant that we may not witness the like again.

On the night of July 8th, Col. Smith of the 16th regiment of Illinois volunteers arrived at this place with about six hundred men for the purpose of breaking up an encampment of Secessionists under the command of Gen. Tom Harris, encamped about twelve or fifteen miles south of this place. A heavy rain prevented their forward movement until the next morning when about nine miles from this place they were ambushed and fired into. They brought their cannon to bear upon the enemy and soon disposed of them. The federal troops had three wounded, none killed; the Secessionists reported none killed, one wounded. The federal troops retreated into the open prairie and encamped for the night. I will, however, say before proceeding further that this execution of the federal troops was inadvised, ill-planned, and badly executed. They landed here in eighteen cars and went off on their expedition, leaving them without guard.

The 9th passed quietly at this place, but as I left the depot late in the evening my suspicions were somewhat aroused from seeing some armed men passing about and from some threats which I heard with regard to a sick soldier whom they had left here; consequently I telegraphed to the commander at Hannibal to send a guard to protect the property here. He had no men that he could spare but sent a train to Palmyra, requesting the commander there to send a guard. But he was in the same predicament, expecting an attack and no men to spare. When morning came was grateful to find all right, no depredations having been committed, and went to the wheat field with my boys stacking wheat.

You may well judge my astonishment and dismay when about nine o’clock I saw the black smoke arising from the depot, and in a few moments the whole building together with the eighteen cars and the carpenter shop wrapped in flames. I ordered my boys to jump on their horses and go to help to keep the fire from spreading to other buildings. I came by the house and was about to proceed to the village when my niece, Mrs. Van Swearingen, drove up in great haste, saying that her husband had sent her down to beg me not to come by any means. They had shot a man by the name of Hodgkiss and swore they would kilt every man that came about. They were perfectly frantic. I thought that prudence was the better part of valor and remained at home.

A company of twenty-five men was headed by Capt. John L. Owen, a wealthy farmer living about six miles from the depot, who had organized under the military law and raised a company of ‘some fifty or sixty men. Everybody was surprised that he should commit such an act. Men who were present, both Union and Secessionists, tried to dissuade him from it, but no, he said he had his orders and was bound to do it. And dearly has he paid for it, for the next day his residence with all its contents was burned by the federal troops and his stock driven off. The burning of his home was wrong and not approved of by the commanding officers.

After setting fire to the depot the company went out to meet the returning troops which were now three or four miles distant, but one or two shots from their field piece disposed of them. The federal troops marched in and took possession of our seminary, occupied by the Messrs. Comings, principals of the school, and commenced throwing up fortifications. The Secessionists were hovering about and an attack was expected at night. Word came that they had three or four cannon. People in the village were much alarmed. Van Swearingen and family and the Comings and others came to my house to get out of the way of the cannon balls. My kitchen, servants’ house, and stable were filled with Irishmen, women and children. The night passed off without an attack. Early in the morning the Secessionist troops began to assemble. The whole prairie seemed to be alive with them. About two o’clock the cannonading commenced by the Secessionist and at long intervals replied to by the federal troops. At this time things looked very squally. The federal troops were nearly out of ammunition. The Secessionists had torn up the road and destroyed culverts in order to prevent reinforcements. Telegraph destroyed so that no information could be obtained. But to our great joy about four o’clock the cannon was heard in the distance, reinforcements were coming; but as they had the road to repair it seemed a long time before they hove in sight. And when they did appear such scampering was never before seen. They went in all directions, leaving the man who hauled their cannon alone to hitch his horse and bring it off. We call it the “battle of the spurs.” They fired twenty-three rounds at the seminary building, only three of which took effect, the building not materially injured by them.

We had a fine view of the whole skirmish. The seminary building is hardly three-fourths of a mile from our house. The Secessionists’ cannon was about the same distance from us. From the roof of our porch we could see the whole of the affair and the whole surrounding country, which was black with men and horses, supposed to be about 2,000. If they had had a good commander and better arms and better courage they might have taken the federal troops. I am sorry to say that the federal troops behaved very badly here. Many families through rear had left their homes. All such were robbed of everything that they could carry off, furniture broken up, etc. Some families who were at home, supposed to be Secessionists, also suffered much. 1-Hennenies and pigstys were robbed. Both Union and Secesstonists have suffered very much. I have a colored boy who is a shoemaker. They robbed his shop of all that was worth carrying off. I was, however, fortunate enough to have taken out most of the boots and shoes the day they came in for fear of accidents. They stole nothing from my farm or residence, and in all instances when they came to my house behaved very well.

Missouri is in a most deplorable condition. It is said that our Secessionist governor said he would take Missouri out of the Union or he would take her to hell. If hell is a condition instead of place he has been successful in taking her to the latter place.

Our state convention recently in session has deposed the governor, the lieutenant governor, anti secretary or state, and appointed a governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of state pro tern, their acts to be submitted to a vote of the people on the first of November next. The men appointed to fill the above named offices are all good Union men and many the best men of the state. How this thing will operate as yet it is impossible to tell. We all hope for the best.

We expected you had heard a very exaggerated account of the engagement here and thought I would state to you the facts. I suppose you have heard that many prisoners were taken. Some twenty-five or thirty were brought in at different times, most of whom proved to be Union men, or men who had not the depot has been tried and admitted to bail under $10,000 bond. I would say much about our ruined and distracted country, but time will not permit. Although some threats have been made against Union men yet I have never had any fears of being disturbed. I do not believe if I had gone to the depot the day the depot was burned that they would have molested me. The man whom they shot and wounded is an avowed abolitionist and has been accused of tampering with Negroes; at any rate has been very imprudent in his conversation. In this part of the state there seems to be but little ill feeling existing between Secessionists and Union men at present. Should the Secessionists get the upper hand it is hard to say what the result would be. There are many man of desperate fortunes among them.

I suppose the abolitionists expect to subjugate the South. There will have to be some tall fighting done first. Abolitionism and Secessionism I consider twin sisters, although fighting avowedly for a different object. The result of both isms is the same—dissolution of the Union. I am a Union man, but not a black republican. I do not believe in Mr. Lincoln’s administration. I think a different policy would have brought about a very different result. War should •have been the last means resorted to, and I am inclined to think that Mr. Lincoln will think so too before he whips the South. I have not time in •this letter to give you my views. I may hereafter say something more upon the subject. Of all the wars in the world, civil wars are the worst. The horrors of this war are too terrible to contemplate.

Yours truly, A Warner.
 
A post battle report

"HEADQUARTERS 16TH REGIMENT, ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS,
MONROE STATION, Mo., July 14, 1861.
SIR: In accordance with your order, on the 8th of this month I left my headquarters at Palmyra, Mo., with Cos. F and H of the Sixteenth Illinois regiment, and Cos. A, F, H and K of the Third Iowa regiment, and Co. A of Hannibal Home Guards, and one six-pounder and proceeded to this place. A heavy rain storm coming on retarded our further progress. Early on the morning of the 9th I started out in search of the rebel force under Harris. At 4 o'clock p. m. when about 12 miles south of Monroe, our advance guard was fired into by the enemy, concealed in a clump of timber and brush, the first volley severely wounding Capt. McAllister of Co. G, Fifteenth Illinois regiment, also Private Prentiss of Co. A, same regiment, and slightly wounding a private of an Ohio regiment. I immediately ordered a charge and drove the enemy from their cover. As they were all mounted it was impossible to follow them further with advantage. We found one of their men mortally wounded and have reason to believe several more were shot who were carried off by their friends, and captured several horses, saddles and bridles. We made camp near this place for the night. On the morning of the 10th, having heard rumors of trouble at Monroe station, moved my command back. On coming in sight of Monroe found the station, out-houses, 17 passenger and freight cars and other railroad roperty
in flames and found the enemy collected to the number of 300 to 400 on our left. On nearing them they began to move off, when I brought forward the field piece and sent a few round shots into their ranks, scattering them in all directions. The only damage done here that I know of was one horse killed. After coming into Monroe I took possession of a brick building known as the Seminary and enclosed grounds adjoining, its position answering purpose for defense if necessary and the apartments good quarters for the men who were without tents. During the day we made several advances on the enemy without being able to get near enough to do much damage. On the morning of the 11th the enemy began to collect from all quarters, and by noon we were surrounded by from 1,500 to 2,000 men. At 1 o'clock p. m., they opened fire upon us from one nine and one six-pounder, 1 at a distance of about a mile. Their firing was very inaccurate, only three shots out of the first 27 striking the building, and they did very little damage, my men being well covered by a breastwork they had thrown up. After throwing their first six shots, they moved their cannon some 400 yards nearer and opened fire. I immediately answered with the six-pounder, dismounting their smaller gun, which made a general scattering, and caused them to carry their nine-pounder to a safer distance. Their firing from this time had little or no effect Much credit is due Capt. Fritz, of Co. F, Sixteenth regiment, for the able manner with which he led his men throughout our little expedition. Also to gunner Fishbourn, who planted his shot among them every time, but who had to deal sparingly, as he was almost out of shot, when we were relieved. I was much pleased with the officers and men generally, for their coolness and obedience to orders throughout.
At 4 :30 o'clock p. m., of the 11th, a train was seen coming from the east with reinforcements. It proved to be Maj. Hays, of my regiment, with Cos. D, B, and A, of the Sixteenth Illinois, and one nine-pounder field piece. The enemy now began to move off and by dark had left the field entirely, since which time they have been skulking about the country in squads, burning wood-piles, small bridges and culverts, when opportunity offers of doing so without danger. On the morning of the 12th, we were again reinforced by Col. Palmer's Fourteenth regiment, which returned to Quincy to-day, leaving us in a worse position than ever, with the exception that we have more ammunition. Col. Palmer brought two brass field pieces with him which he took away. Something of the kind would be very acceptable here just now, as there is a slight probability of their being useful. I have the honor to be your obedient servant.
ROBERT F. SMITH.
To BRIG.-GEN. LYON.
 
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