Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The battle of Boonevile.--The following statement of what occurred at Booneville may be relied on as strictly true. It was written by a citizen of Booneville who never states as truth what he doesn't know to be truth:

An account of the fruitless interview between Gov. Jackson and Gen. Price, commander-in-chief of the Missouri militia, on the one side, and Gen. Lyon and Col. Blair on the other, you have no doubt seen, as well as the proclamation of Gov. Jackson, calling for 50,000 State troops, which followed. Immediately after issuing the proclamation which named no point of rendezvous for the troops, steps were taken to move the military Headquarters from the capital. Rumor named divers points as the future location of this department. The arrival, however, of a portion of the commander-in-chief's staff, followed by that of the commander-in-chief himself and workmen to put in operation the suspended foundry at this place, and to establish manufactories of munitions of war and military equipments, settled the question. Booneville, however, you will see, was destined to enjoy these honors for but a brief period.

On Friday morning, the 14th inst., messengers were sent in all directions urging those who had volunteered as “State Guards,” as well as all armed citizens, to assemble forthwith, at this point. On the same day troops began to arrive, and an encampment was formed four and a half miles east of Booneville, on the bluffs on the south side of the Missouri River. The arrival of troops continued through Saturday and Sunday. On Monday morning, the 17th, at which time the battle occurred, there were in the camp probably 3,500 men. About 500 of these, only, could be said to be armed,--the remainder being furnished with the common squirrel rifle and shot gun. The officers' Headquarters were at Booneville, where most of the field-officers remained until their forces began a retreat. On Sunday morning the news came to Headquarters that Gen. Lyon, who commands the Federal forces in Missouri, was in sight. A hasty consultation between the Governor and his officers resulted in a determination to disband the State troops, and an order to disband was accordingly issued; but some of the more spunky of the secessionists would not hear to going home without having a fight, and, it having been ascertained that the report of the near approach of Gen. Lyon was false, the order to disband was rescinded-not, however, before many had taken advantage of the first order, and had left. Gen. Price being indisposed, (to fight, perhaps,) left for his residence up the Missouri River. During this entire day, and up to the very hour of the battle, men continued to arrive in companies, squads, and singly. Early Monday morning, it was ascertained that Gen. Lyon, who came up the river in boats, was landing his forces, amounting to two thousand men, about two miles below the encampment. The State troops were called from their breakfast, of which many had not even tasted, to form and prepare for battle. With the intention, it is supposed, of surprising Gen. Lyon in the confusion of disembarking, the State troops, many of whom were mounted, left their camp, and, in double-quick time, under the command of Col. Marmaduke, advanced to attack Gen. Lyon. But the Federal troops had already effected a landing and were marching upon the State camp, when the two armies met at a point less than half-way between the point of disembarkation and the encampment of the State troops. Some skirmishing took place previous to the actual engagement. This lasted about 20 minutes, a comparatively small number on either side having been actually engaged. The State troops retreated in the greatest confusion, abandoning their camp equipage, provisions, two iron six-pounders, quite a number of horses, guns, &c., all which, of course, fell into the hands of Gen. Lyon. The Federal troops took, in addition, about 40 prisoners, losing 2 killed, 11 wounded, and 1 missing. The State troops lost 3 killed and 7 wounded.

Gov. Jackson, with some officers and the only well drilled, and well-armed company under his command as a body guard, remained, during the battle, about three miles from the scene of action. Upon the first report of a retreat, he and those with him hastened to town, and, after a hasty, horseback consultation, left for parts unknown. It is supposed that he has fled to Arkansas. It is due to the State troops to state that they were wholly unprepared to contend with the men they had to face. They were hastily brought together; undrilled, for the most part unarmed, and wholly unofficered, they were compelled to fight each independent of the others. The Federal officers give them credit for bravery.

General Lyon, with his command, entered the town about 12 1/2 o'clock without any opposition whatever, establishing his Headquarters at the Fair Ground, and quartering Col. F. P. Blair's regiment in the Thespian Hall.

General Lyon came into our midst with considerable prejudice existing in the minds of many against him. He had been represented as being blood-thirsty and unscrupulous. His men had been represented as being a band of lawless hirelings-respecting neither the property nor rights of others; but this prejudice is broken down. The General's humanity to our wounded, who were left on the battle-field by their friends, his kindness to the prisoners, who were finally released on parole, the promptness with which he punished his men for little depredations committed on the property of men they regarded as enemies, the protection he extends to all, his accessibility and gentlemanly deportment to even rank secessionists, have made him many friends amongst those who [70] were a few days ago his enemies, and morally disarmed many prominent secessionists of their hatred to the Government, and making them, if not Union men, at least willingly passive secessionists.--Louisville Journal, July 4.