The Gibson Family Newsletter
Including the Pratt and Glore Families
Issue #8, September, 1998
Gena Gibson Davis, Editor
I'd been planning this newsletter for a bit now, even before the last one came out. I'd saved several letters, bits of info and emails to be included. I put them all into the newsletter on the day a storm blew up and wiped out my electricity! I may have lost some items and I look for people to re-contribute as they can but after all is said and done, this is a fine newsletter too. We have a special event for those relatives who enjoy getting out and roaming the countryside. On September 26-27 there will be a re-enactment of the battle of Pilot Knob. Ronnie Warren will be there participating. Here is the info he sent:
MCWRA CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT, PILOT KNOB, MO
Contact Terry Cadenbach (573)-697-5637 or (573)-546-3454.
Sponsored by the 4TH MO Cav. US. Actual battle site,
600 reenactors, 2 battles, dance, medical demo., fashion show.
It is not my intent to glorify war or to focus too much energy on the research of the Civil War but this reenactment will bring to life an event that changed the lives of so many of our ancestors, not only the men and women but their children as well. Please make arrangements to attend. And be sure to look for other cousins there!
I am sending copies of this newsletter to all family who signed the register, with their address, at the reunion. We are so happy that each of you were able to come and visit, we look forward to seeing you next year! Please feel free to write and share with our readers. A generous offer was made to our Gibson family by the descendants of Robert Gibson Jr. We have an open invitation to attend their family reunion which is held, if I'm not mistaken, the 3d weekend of July, every year at the Lions Club on Hwy 185 in Potosi, MO. Drop-ins are welcome but if you know in advance please confirm date with Rev. Wayne and Ruth Gibson ahead of time. Their address is: PO Box 18, Belgrade, MO 63622
Lastly, myself, Joyce Beal and Alice Gibson have volunteered to make arrangements for next year's reunion to be held in Doniphan. If you have suggestions or comments please send them to any of us.
Joyce Beal, Route # 2 Box 275, Doniphan MO, 63935
Alice Gibson, 2952 Circle Drive, Granite City, IL 62040
Gena Davis, 5904 Horseshoe Bend, Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 or 219-482-2131 or CofT@aol.com
Before I close out my letter I want to take a moment to tell you that one of our dear cousins has passed away.
From: Ron Hufstedler, SRHuf@aol.com
You may not have heard that my Mother, Pearl Glore-Hufstedler passed away on 13 August in Las Vegas, NV. She was buried there on the 18th. She was the youngest daughter of Samuel Ernest Glore, a cousin and good pal of Betty Jo's father, Joe Gibson.
Notations kept intact, complete addresses excluded until permission to print is recieved
Lisha Evans (Gibson), Conway, AR
Ladonna Baker (Gibson), Imperial, MO
Louise Gibson, Farmington, MO
Susie VanCamp (Hufstedler), Alton, MO
Sharon Rone, Springfield, MO
Janice Marks, Springfield, MO
Lonnie & Judy Gibson Guilliams, Puxico, MO
Dan Gibson, Sr., Puxico, MO
Leona Gibson, Doniphan, MO
Judith Gibson, Doniphan, MO
Joyce Beal, Doniphan, MO
Joe Moore, Florissant, MO
Odell & Sybil Ferren, Searcy, AR
Danny Merle Gibson, Olive Branch, MS
Elbert Merle Gibson, Memphis, TN
Vikki Branum, Monett, MO
Don & Mary Hodo, Willow Springs, MO
Lonnie & Willa Dean Nine, Monett, MO
Robert Richeson, Potosi, MO
Marybelle Richeson, Potosi, MO
Lanette Cook (Granddaughter of Noel Gibson), Springdale, AR
Nicholas Cook (Great grandson of Noel Gibson), Springdale, AR
Emily Cook (Great granddughter of Noel Gibson), Springdale, AR
Deiatre (Blount) Gillam (Great granddaughter of Noel Gibson), Salem, MO
Lanita Gilliam (Great granddaughter of Noel Gibson), Salem, MO
Marianne Hufstedler (Daughter-in-law of Sally Gibson Hufstedler), Salem, MO
Don Hufstedler (Son of Sally Gibson Hufstedler), Salem, MO
Barbara Pigg (Great granddaughter-in-law of Ollye Gibson Pigg), Jackson, TN
Lucille Gibson (Granddaughter of John Baptist Gibson), Searcy, AR
Mary & Jim Merkle, Midwest City, OK
Mildred Herring (Midge), Midwest City, OK
Paulette Mathis, Crossett, AR
Freddie Pepmiller, Crossett, AR
Samantha Pepmiller, Crossett, AR
Wille Pepmiller, Crossett, AR
Alice & Wayne Gibson, Granite City, IL
Erik & Cynthia Gibson Hefferly, Granite City, IL
Traci Mahoney Burgess (Granddaughter of Betty Jo Gibson Scott), Bethany, OK
Marsha & Bruce Benker (Daughter of Betty Jo Gibson Scott), Memphis, TN
Lynda & Don Sells, Sand Springs, OK
Kevin, Gena (Gibson), Ahriah & Hunter Davis, Ft. Wayne, IN
Betty Jo Gibson Scott (Granddaughter of WO Gibson), Enid, OK
I do have some regrets. I did not get to stay in Ripley County as long as I would like to; I did not get as many photos as I wanted; and I was a day late in arriving. Also, there were some cousins that I had hoped to meet that were not able to be there.
I would like to especially thank Kevin and Gena Gibson Davis and Rev. Wayne and Ruth Gibson for their work in putting this reunion together and cleaning up afterwards. Wayne for getting the new headstone for Williamson and Mary Glore's grave in the Pine Cemetery and leading the auto tour to the Cemetery. Wayne and Alice Gibson from Illinois for the tour of Oak Grove Cemetery and getting Traci and myself on the best route to go home. I really appreciated the photos that were brought by family members. Thanks to Danny Merle Gibson for his genealogy records of the family. Thanks to the cousins that worked in the kitchen and came up with a very efficient way to serve. The food was, as a relative of mine used to say, "musty", meaning "I must have some more". A big hug to my granddaughter, Tracie Burgess for getting me there, to Don and Lynda (Atkins)Sells for help with the bookmarks and nametags (Lynda is my niece and a granddaughter of Joe Gibson), and to my daughter, Marsha and Bruce Benker from Memphis. Most of all a big thank you to those that were able to attend and helped make our first reunion a success.
I have put some reunion photographs on our Gibson Web Page and if you would like to add your photos please send them. If you have Internet access the Gibson page, which includes the Gibson Newsletters, can be found at http:www.harvestcomm.net/personal/bjsbytes/gibson.htm.
The book "The Descendants of Robert Gibson" is already out of stock (I had printed 50 copies) and I am in the process of printing more. I hope to have them available by the last of September. I would really appreciate any corrections or suggestions that you would want to share. Thank you for your interest and response. I am planning on making an addendum for next year that will include corrections, new information and photographs. Anything you want included please send to me at: Betty Jo Gibson Scott, 1301 W. Oklahoma, Enid, OK 73703.
Of all of my family lines that I have worked on, the Gibson are Glore families are my favorites. I have already put NEXT YEAR on my calendar and hope you do the same. Hope to see you then!
Betty Jo
I thought for sure I'd be very nervous the day of the reuinion, a hundred new people to meet and a dozen details to attend to but my family woke up late that morning and instead of feeling rushed, I was calm. Call it instinct or whatever but I just felt that everyone attending would be down to earth folks.
We arrived about noon and found the small building full to the brim with smiling people, shaking hands and passing out name tags. The narrow front room was lined with tables which were covered with photo albums and charts. Danny Merle Gibson and his father, Elbert Merle had done an exceptional job on their display. Did you get any of those wonderful keepsakes made by Betty Jo and her family? There were postcards made with photos of our ancestors and lovely bookmarks. Betty donated all of the proceeds to next year's reunion fund—Thanks!
I hauled my chicken into the kitchen and low and behold there were ladies in there already attending to the meal. I had a nice conversation with a woman who was busily laying out the table. We shared news on Harry Gibson, who was unable to attend.
About this time I met the Rev. Wayne and his bride Ruth Gibson. They had the entire situation under control and even brought with them some descendants of Robert Gibson Jr.!
I was very glad to see the happy faces of my dad, Dan Gibson & Aunt Judy & Uncle Lonnie Guilliams. About that time my sons got into a wrestling match in the floor so my husband Kevin took them and followed the family out to the Courthouse steps. Apparently, he got to hear a lot of stories while sitting out there.
Just as the match was under way, in came Betty Jo! She was feeling a little goofy from a lack of sleep. She'd spent the few days prior to the reunion completing her "Descendants..." book and it'd kept her from getting her normal amount of sleep, not to mention the overnight drive with her granddaughter Traci from OK. That road between Springfield and Doniphan is mighty winding and dark and they'd sat up together making sure not to take any wrong turns.
After the meal, group photos were taken and you can see many of them on Betty Jo's web site. Then door prizes were given away (Thanks to everyone for donating prizes!). Next, everyone pitched in and put away and cleaned up as we prepared to drive to Pine Cemetery. I glanced over and saw my sons sprawled out on the floor with Marsha Benker's little poodle taking turns kissing them. I think it was the most pleasing event of the day for them.
I departed company with my branch of the tree who were headed to Johnston's Chapel Cemetery. I was told that later on their way back to Monett, MO, Lonnie and Willa Dean Nine and their daughter Vikki Branum stopped off in Puxico to visit with my grandparents Jesse Dow and Maxine Gibson and Aunt Mary Ann Gibson, who were unable to attend.
At Pine we meandered through the cemetery discussing relationships and old times. As we gathered around the new marker that Rev. Wayne placed the topic turned to the Pigg family. A young man didn't quite understand that there is actually a branch of our tree with Piggs and as he began to have a good time with the surname Wayne turned him around and introduced him to Barbara Pigg! It was very funny but I'm sure not the first time a Pigg joke has been made.
The new marker is very lovely. I can't recall exactly what is on the stone except that WO and Mary Glore with their birth, marriage and death dates are there with the phrase "On this Rock...". We decided to have the phrase which comes from the letter Robert Jr. wrote to his father Robert Sr. (You can find this letter in a previous edition of this newsletter.). We all felt it must've held deep emotion for our pioneer family as they maintained their faith in God while building their homes and churches in the rugged hills of Southeast Missouri.
For future refence also note that on one of Mary Glore Gibson's dates, either birth or death, there is a CA in front of the year. We were unsure of the exact date so we improvised using the CA as in circa or "about that year".
When you visit Pine next don't dismay because we had to remove the old limestone marker. Wayne felt the marker, which we believe was carved by John Baptist Gibson, wouldn't hold up against the elements too many more years, as the writing has already disappeared. We certainly trust his opinion and don't want to lose this treasured relic. We must thank him for all the work he put into the completion of this project. We need also to thank Dick and Barbara Pigg for their monetary contribution.
We closed out our day there at Pine, straggling out after our final goodbyes and photos were made. I felt enriched to have had the experience and the opportunity to meet so many cousins. I am looking forward to next year and hope that everyone can return and that those who didn't make it this time will be there then.
Gena
From: jimaling@clas.net (Jim & Linda Cope) I just wanted to touch base with you as my brother and I have just discovered the web pages of Betty Jo (Gibson) Scott and your news letters. My name is Linda (Tracy) Cope and I live at Jackson, MO. My mother is Ruby Tracy and she lives near Warm Springs, AR. I can remember your great-grandfather which was my mother's Uncle Jess sitting on the court house square at Doniphan playing checkers back when I was a little girl. When we would go to town we would stop and see him and he would always give me a nickel.
IN THE LONG, LONG AGO, from files of July 22, 1926. M. D. Bowers of Pocahontas, Assistant U.S. District Attorney, with headquarters in Little Rock, was nominated by the Republican state convention last Thursday as their candidate for Governor of Arkansas.
~Note: Bridgette is looking for uncopyrighted material to put on the Randolph Co., genealogical web site. If you have old newspaper clippings, obituaries or cemetery notes, please mail them to me and I will send them to her. This contribution will be shared with hundreds of people! Thanks.
Date:98-01-25, From: barbara-pigg@worldnet.att.net(Dick & Barbara Pigg) Here is a short story I remember about my Grandpa George Pigg. In the late 50's or early 60's the whole Pigg family was gathered at the Homeplace about 2 miles from Handy, Mo. It was the fall of the year in time for Deer season. All the men set out to hunt, but they would not take George with them due to his age (he was about 70+ at that time). All of us grandkids were playing in the yard when grandpa George came sneaking slowly out of the front door with his old 30-30 deer rifle in hand and telling us kids to be quiet. Outside of the front yard a large buck stood there looking at us. Unfortunately grandpa did not get a shot at the deer, but at least he saw one and none of the men had seen a thing all day. Grandpa and everyone had a good laugh about this since he came closer to getting a deer than his sons who went hunting without him and made him stay home.
Letter written by Sylvia Brewer (1130 5th St., Los Banos, CA 93635-4207), dated September 1997:
"I just had to write and tell you how much I enjoyed the article in your newsletter that Sally Gibson wrote. didn't remember the schools being that close together. I don't remember anything about "Wild Cat" . But I was born (8-24-1920) a little way west of Pine.
Dr. Hilton was our family doctor. My folks moved to 1 mile west of Bennett on south side of the creek a few years later. We had to walk 1 mile and cross the creek behind the Baptist church at Bennett and go 1 mile west to Bennett school on the north side of the creek. I know Agnes Gordon's family well. John and I married brother and sister (WA Jewell and Marcella Gibson). Uncle John and Melvina Gibson lived in Bennett the time I can remember. We grew up calling them aunt and uncle when we were kids before I married into the Gibson family.
I've checked with everyone I can think of that I knew them at Bennett and everyone knew her as Melvinie. [She is listed as Mary in the "Descendants..." book.]
I remember Stella Ollar very well. My older bro married her younger sister, Reva Ollar. As for Pauline Roberts she's my cousin, her father WO Roberts, was my dad's brother. I only have one memory of them living in Bennett. I remember the house they lived in. Spending a night with Pauline's older sister and sleeping up stairs with her. With her window open. Oh, how the wind allowed in the window. Ha! They always came back to Bennett each year for the children's program and dinners on the ground at church. But I didn't remember him having the store and P.O.
Gene and Louis Whitwell were there as far back as I can remember.
I left Missouri when I was 16 years old. There still wasn't a road west of us to Pine, only a wagon trail mostly. Only a few cars ever went from Pine to Bennett. My home here was converted into a dwelling house from 1st town school house in Los Banos, it's over 130 years old. All Redwood lumber.
I remember going to Running Water school to pie suppers and Little Barren school. It was almost like reading about my relatives instead of my husband's."
Excerpt from letter written by Jeanette Johnson (Ferren Trail, Searcy, AR), dated 9-13-1996:
"I remember when I was real little Uncle Jack used to take me frog gigging. His name was Rannie M. Gibson but was always called Jack. I have a big doll that cries that he gave me for my first Christmas or first birthday,one. I think it was my first Christmas."
Excerpt from letter written by Isabell Gibson, dated August 10, 1998: "My son and grandson Danny [Elbert Merle Gibson and Danny Merle Gibson] sure did enjoy the reunion. We went back there quite often as that was where my husband Elbert grew up til he was 14 or 15 when they moved to Garber, OK."
Ron Hufstedler identified two photos in Betty Jo's "Descendants..." book. Turn to page 40 (of the new book) there are three rows of pictures. The two pictures in the center row are incorrectly identified as Peter and Emma (Gibson) Hodo. The couple in these two photos, one in front of the porch and the other with the man holding the fiddle, are actually William Morton Glore and his wife, Nancy Jane (Jackson) Glore. Note: Wm Morton's peg leg. On the porch photo you can see the belt that he used to strap on his leg. The reprinted books will have a correction. ~Thanks to Betty Jo and Ron Hufstedler!
While putting this issue together it stunned me how many soldiers there were in our family, participating in the Civil War. But more stunning yet, the amount of soldiers on both sides. Somehow I'd gotten the impression that the entire family supported the South. I was naive to believe that when we consider how big the family was and how complex the issue. With the help of cousins, here is an imcomplete list of soldiers:
Robert Bays: b. Dec. 23, 1844, d. July 13, 1932. Enlisted at Mineral Point May 4, 1863, U. S. Army, Pvt. Co. K, 8th Reg. (Union) Served until Aug. 22, 1865, when he was mustered at Potosi. Contributed: John Abney from the book "Ozark Heritage Dent Co., MO, Area Cemeteries and Families, Vol.3, 1994".
These men were captured by Confederate forces during Price's Raid. All contributed by Mike Lefler from National Archives Record Group #249, Records of the commissary General Misc Rolls & other Records Relating to the Prisoners of War Roll 368, Prisoner of War Roll of Paroled Men.
Robert Gibson, Prv. Co. G, 32d EMM, Sept. 28th at Potosi, MO
Francis Gibson, Prv. Co. E, 32d EMM, Sept. 28th at Potosi, MO
Marion Gilliam, Prv. Co. H, 32d EMM, Sept. 28th at Potosi, MO
Franklin Leffler, Prv. Co., E, 32d EMM, Sept. 28th at Potosi, MO
Joreal Pratt, Citizen, Sept. 30th at Pilot Knob, MO
John Turner, Prv. Co. H, 2d MO Arty, Sept 28th at Mineral Point, MO
The list of men are prisoners were paroled with the oath. Please note there is no evidence that Joreal Pratt is an actual relative. The Turner family was very close with our Washington Co., family.
George Frederick Wigger (Wegar), his father Harrison and Harrison's brother Robert all fought for the Union . I believe there were others and I will let you know as soon as I find out. They also all three fought at Pilot Knob. ~Wigger family info contributed by Pgerboy@aol.com (Dave)
I can't prove it yet but I think Sol Gilliam (Gillam) got killed there [Pilot Knob]. He died the 2nd day of the battle and lived only 20 or 30 miles away. We think he was there. He was 46. ~Contributed by Don Krulik.
Excerpt from letter written by Imogene Oliver, dated August 5th, 1997: [In reference to the sons of JR Pratt, Sr.] "...3 boys fought on the North and 3 boys fought on the South. JR Pratt Sr. was taken by the North but when they found out he was a "Mason" and also had sons on either side, they turned him lose."
Subj: Battle of Pilot Knob, Date: 8/5/98, From: warren@mail.tigernet.gen.mo.us (Ronnie & Paula Warren)
You probably already know this info but will send what I know re: Pratt's in Battle of Pilot Knob..As you know, they lived here in Iron County where the battle took place so could not avoid too much. Jesse Sr's son John Bunyon Pratt served in the Yankee army but I do not have his service record. I think he probably was in the fray. Jesse's son Robert Gibson Pratt was Lieutenant of 15th Missouri Cavalry CSA which did participate in battle. I have read through several accounts that Jesse's son Milton was killed during the battle although I do not have his service record. I heard that he was Confederate. Thomas Green Pratt was old enough to serve and I have found a service record for a Green Pratt that served in the Missouri State Guard CSA but I am not sure if they are the same. I do know that most people called him Green so it could be him.
Speaking of the battle, it will be reenacted on the actual site on the 26th and 27th of September. It is done every three years and is quite a big show for this area. I will be in it this year as a Confederate soldier (what else). I am really looking forward to it. I have wanted to be a Civil War soldier since I was a small boy. Let all of our relatives know about this cause I think it would be worth a trip here to see it.
From Flo Gate's biography of Jesse R. Pratt in the "History of Randolph Co., AR" we take these notes:
Son of JR, Matthew Y. Pratt served the Union Milton J. Pratt was wounded at the Battle of Pilot Knob and managed to get home before dying. The biography does not reveal which side he fought for.
Jesse Richardson Gibson enlisted in the 15th MO Cav, C.S.A., as a Private under his grandfather Jesse Pratt.
John Comer Lewis the 2d served the Conferacy
Date: 8/31/98, From:FPARKER@DSCC.CC.TN.US (Faye Parker) Joshua Mason, father to Marina Penelope Mason Bays (Robert's wife) and her brother David Crockett Mason were involved with Pilot Knob. Joshua was a "sharpshooter," who was firing from outside the fort when he was struck through the flesh of his throat. His wound was not fatal, but his story became a family legend, one that I have since confirmed from first person accounts of the battle.
I have been told, but have not confirmed this information, that David Mason was killed at Pilot Knob. This information came from outside sources. I never heard him mentioned as I was growing up.
Author's Note: As most scholars will tell you, histories of wars are written by the victors. The same is true of the War Between the States as it is known by true Southerners or War of the Rebellion as it isknown by Northerners. As you read this essay, please remember that I am a descendant of a Confederate Officer from the state of Missouri and I am sure that some will think my writing prejudiced no matter how hard I try not to be. ~Ronnie Warren
The war in Missouri was particularly brutal as it was a true civil war. While the legal government in Missouri voted for secession from the Union, the Union forces occupied the state early in the war and placed a provincial government in place. The State Guard of Missouri was placed in Confederate service. The sentiments of Missourians were truly split and they served on both sides of the conflict.
The terrain in Southeast Missouri varies from steep rocky hills of the eastern edge of the Ozark Mountains in Iron and Reynolds Counties to the flat lands along the Mississippi river near Cape Girardeau. This is a very rural area and many of the people were isolated from others. For many of them, their only association with others may be church services or occasional trips to town for supplies.
The majority of the Confederate Army was driven from the state by 1862 with the exception of independent companies and battalions operating as scouts and as troops assigned to harass enemy (union) supply and communication lines. Most of these men were mounted cavalry as in the case of the 15th Missouri Cavalry led by Colonel Timothy Reeves (our Jesse Pratt was Captain of Company N of the 15th, made up of mostly Reynolds county men. These men were from the Southeast Missouri area. They joined the 15th as a way to protect their homes from the Union forces assigned from other states to secure this area. The union commanders became increasingly frustrated at their efforts to capture Colonel Reeves and his men. They labeled them as bushwackers and outlaws.
The commanders from the Pilot Knob area were constantly sending out patrols to the surrounding hills and counties to look for these men to kill or capture them. Two of the most infamous of these Yankee henchmen were Captain Leeper and Major Wilson. There are many accounts in the Official Records of these two leading patrols into the hills. They would ride up to farms or homes and kill male residents and then write in their reports that these men were bushwackers attempting to escape. One can only speculate how many men were murdered in this fashion simply because they were not in the Union army. Anyone who has ever visited or lived in this area will tell you that these are a very feudal people and reprisals were very commonplace. One person known to have carried out reprisals from the southern side was Major Sam Hildebrand. Sam saw his father hung by Union troops and became a maniac at trying to "get even" he ambushed every union soldier and union sympathizer that he could. He targeted individuals for execution. He even named his rifle "Kill Devil".
In December of 1863, Captain Jesse Pratt, leading Company N of the 15th Missouri Cavalry, captured the Union forces occupying the courthouse at Centerville in Reynolds County. There were no casualties. They took their prisoners with them to Ripley County where Colonel Reeves and the rest of the 15th were waiting. On Christmas day, the 15th was celebrating with a dinner with wives and children of the men present. Major Wilson of the Union 3rd Missouri Militia had been sent from Pilot Knob to capture the men responsible for the capture of the courthouse. Keep in mind that these men were very frustrated at their failed efforts to capture the men of the 15th. They arrived in Ripley County as members of the 15th and their families were having their dinner. The Union troops under Wilson attacked indiscriminately killing 35 soldiers and 62 civilians and wounding unknown numbers.
This became known as "Wilson's Massacre" to Southerners and as a great victory to Northerners. By the fall of 1864, the 15th Missouri had recovered and came along with General Sterling Price on his cavalry raid into Missouri to attempt to recapture the state and place the elected Missouri governor, Thomas Reynolds back in power in Jefferson City. Their primary target was to be St. Louis with its supplies.
As they came into Southeast Missouri they encountered the Union troops in Pilot Knob. General Thomas Ewing had been sent from St. Louis to reinforce the garrison at Fort Davidson. General Ewing was hated by all southerners for his actions in western Missouri resulting in the forced evacuation of all southern women and children from five counties. The Union troops burned all the homes in the area making this become known as the "Burnt District". Although the smart military move would have been to bypass the Union garrison at Pilot Knob, many of the Southerners wanted the hated Ewing. The battle in beautiful Arcadia Valley was two days long resulting in many deaths on both sides.
During the battle, Major Wilson and some of his men were trapped outside the fort on the sides of Pilot Knob mountain. They were captured by members of Price's force. Knowing of the atrocities of Major Wilson and members of his 3rd Missouri Militia, they were placed on trial and were found guilty and were ordered put to death by General Price. This order was carried out by members of the 15th Missouri. It should be noted here that only members of the 3rd Missouri Militia were executed and others not involved in northern atrocities were not molested. When the Union forces later learned of the killing of Major Wilson, they ordered the death of an equal number of southern prisoners held at St. Louis Gatriot Prison. These men were not told of their fate until just prior to their execution by a union firing squad in October 1864.
Price's Raid was the South's last great push into Missouri. Within a year, the hostilities would end with the formal surrender in this area of General Jeff Thompson's army including the men of the 15th in Arkansas in May of 1865. All of the men including our Captain Jesse were paroled and sent home with the exception of Timothy Reeves who was not to be paroled. It has been said that Jesse Pratt left the Ironton, Missouri, after the war because of bushwack attempts against him. He moved to Warm Springs, Arkansas where he remained until his death. Perhaps the war would never have been over for him had he stayed in Southeast Missouri.
Major James Wilson Papers, 1864 contributed by Mike Lefler
Here are several items from copies of the "James Wilson Papers, 1864", pertaining to the death of Major James Wilson, United States Army, who was shot by Confederate forces, Oct. 3, 1864 near Union, Missouri. From "Mrs. Andy J. Brown, Troy, Missouri Feb. 7th 1959".
"I commenced upon the body said to be Major Wilson and found some memoradum books, military orders and papers, lead pencils, pocket knife and a five-cent piece.
(By telegraph from Washington Co, Missouri) MISSOURI AND WESTERN TELEGRAPH COMPANY, October 24, 1864
TO BRIGADIER GENERAL EWING:
The bodies of Major Wilson and six men captured at Ironton have been found about fifteen miles southwest from this place, on the Old State Road, near the Jefferson Farm. Major Wilson was shot through the body several times. One of the bodies is supposted to be that of an artillery bugler, from the trimmings on his jacket. They were found by a man out hunting persimmons, who identified Major Wilson by papers on his body. All documents found on these bodies are in the hands of Esq. Kleinbeck of this county and will be forwarded to you soon as received here. (signed) G. HARRY STONE Colonel & Chief of Staff
The six Confederate prisoners that were taken out of prison and shot were:
Asa V. Ladd........... age 34
George Nichols....... age 21
Harvey H. Blackburn..... age 47
George T. Bunch......... age ????
Chas. W. Minnekin...... age 22
James W. Gates......... age 21
The execution took place in South Side of Lafayette Park. John N. Ferguson was first selected but proved he had never carried a gun, only a temster; so he was released and Bunch was chosen.
Several months ago I found a book at the library titled "The Little Gods" the author's surname was Eakin. Now, I could be mistaken about this book as I make copies of excerpts of many books on my research trips so if you do not find the information in this book, don't be shocked. If later I find out definitely which book it was I will write it in the newsletter. To my point, the following paragraphs are found on page 154:
"An eye for an eye" was a common thing during the war years. It was as if the opposing side kept running totals. In Franklin county [Missouri], one of the most severe cases and crimes committed on this account concerned the killing of Federal Major James Wilson and six of his men. This killing took place on or near the farm, owned in 1888, by William H. Bolte. This execution was carried out by Timothy Reeves' band of soldiers. Much akin to Quantrill's rank and file combatants. Major Wilson and his men had been turned over to Timothy Reeves by General Sterling Price and he very likely knowing something of their pre-ordained fate, or at least knowledge of the character of Reeves' men, did nothing to prevent it. Major Wilson and his men were killed. Timothy Reeves was not punished for his crime, but it did not go unavenged. Later, in St. Louis, six rebel soldiers were, by order of General Rosecrans, executed in somewhat the same manner in the retaliation of Reeves' crime. All the killings were considered an act of war."
The first time I'd ever heard of Wilson's Massacre was in Jerry Ponder's book "The History of the 15th Missouri Cav." Mr. Ponder painted a more Southern sympathetic version of this story. Whatever the facts were I was shocked when I read the comparison of Reeve's men to Quantrill's Raiders. For those of you who don't understand my dismay, Jesse Pratt, Robert Gibson Pratt Jr. and Jesse Gibson were "Reeves' men" and many believe may have taken part of the execution of Maj. Wilson. It is not the event itself that causes my grief but the possibility that our descendants might actually someday think of Reeve's men as comparable to Quantrill's Raiders. So to all, please take to heart that even though war changes people, Reeves' men were acting under order to exectute the soldiers that participated in the murder of not only soldiers but their wives and children as well.
Jesse Gibson in his later years lived in the home of his son, Jesse Russell Gibson and spent time with my grandpa Jesse Dow Gibson. My grandpa has passed on a few stories of the Civil war that his grandpa told him. One that sticks in my mind is of the Battle of Pilot Knob. Details include a "moat" or ditch that was around the fort that by battles end, was filled to the top with the bodies of dead Confederates. While compiling this issue, it dawned on me for the first time that these young men who grew up together might have actually faced their cousins and friends on the battle lines.
A Civil War Letter written by Jim Lewis
Contributed by Doris Grace, DDGrace@aol.com
Phrases in parentheses are my additions for clarification. ~Doris Grace
Dear Ezra: (His nephew)
I will try to answer your letter this morning. We were pleased to hear from you also to hear of your mother's being in better health. I suppose you do miss Margaret since she left for California. Well, we are getting along very well for old people, considering the hard times. Lee (his son) is with us, doing the farm work. We have begun to try to build a house down in the mouth of the hollow, northwest of the old one. We're getting off the hill since we are tired climbing it. We have the lumber on the site and the basement about finished. It will be a four roomed house and basement, 26 by 28 feet, porch in front facing the road.
Our daughter Edna and her husband are here with us. They have two children, Wilton 3 years of age and Doris Jane 7 months. They are aiming to build them a house in the field facing the mouth of the cave which they mean to light up with a Delco light; they have their lumber ready also.
Ezra, your great-grandfather John Comer Lewis was a native of North Carolina and was a pioneer of Cane Creek, Hickman County, Tenn. He was a slave owner; had much land and was a very rich man for that day. He owned l2 Negroes.
Your grandfather John Comer II was "well off" until the Civil War improvished him. He owned three good farms in Fulton County, Ark. Two of these farms he sold for Confederate money which was worthless when the war closed. Your grandfather volunteered at Salem, Fulton County, Ark I suppose in l861. He was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. This was his 38th birthday. He was in the front line of the skirmishes that morning. You see, the Confederates surprised Grant's army that morning and drove the Yanks off the field but while doing that your granddad was struck in the right side with an ounce of lead. The bullet was cut out at his back. He was reported killed on the field of battle. My mother and family knew no better until he came to our home in the fall of l862 at night when we were in bed. He called at the gate and asked if the Widow Lewis lived there. Sister Docia (Rhodesia) heard him and said, "That is Pap." We children called him that. You can imagine what a meeting that was in that little family. The parents and five children, Docia, Bettie, Caroline, John and Jim (himself). Just three left of these now.
Your grandpa's commanding officer was General Hardee, his Captain was Captain Baber.
Well, I suppose I might as well quit, I have done such a shabby job writing this much. I am so shaky I can hardly write.
Anyhow, you and Elsie must come to see us sometime this summer or fall.
Love to you both,
Your Uncle Jim (James Hale Lewis l860-1943)
This newsletter was a big effort by many of our cousins and they all deserve an enormous THANKS! I appreciate every contribution and look forward to more rolling in in the future!
`S.E. Glore, quoting "Uncle" Nace Randel
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