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The Topeka boys fought like tigers

Throughout the summer of 1864, Confederate General Sterling Price threatened to strike northward from Arkansas into Missouri where he hoped to pick up recruits, fill his weakened ranks, and recapture the St. Louis arsenal. Once properly equipped and provisioned, he then planned to cross the state of Missouri and invade Kansas. In August, he made good on that threat. From the onset, however, the campaign failed miserably. Though he did manage to cross through the State largely unchecked, the outpouring of recruits he anticipated never materialized. Recognizing his disadvantage, he turned away from the heavily fortified city of St. Louis and made his way up the Missouri River where he hoped to link up with guerrilla bands who were still operating in the central and western counties.

As the rebel army approached Kansas, the Governor of Kansas called out the county militia unit’s to rendezvous at the city of Atchison, and then proceed to Wyandotte and Kansas City. One of the county militia units answering the call was the Nemaha Home Guards. Fresh from their “Indian War” experience of a few weeks earlier, James and the other men from Seneca came with the militia prepared to defend Kansas from the rebel invaders.

Atchison [Kansas]
October 20, 1864

My Dearest [Augusta],

We arrived at Atchison Tuesday about sundown and are now in quite good quarters and it is well that such is the case as it is snowing quite briskly this morning (Thursday). The ground is already white and it is coming briskly. I saw Bro. Lawrence last evening and also Bro. Williams of the Sabetha Circuit. Bro. Hosford of this place has gone with his company which had to report at Olathe. The Order called out every man between the age of 18 and 60. A telegram last evening tells us that [Gen.] Price is near Independence with quite a heavy force and the general opinion is that he aims to enter Kansas at Kansas City and go out through the Southern part of the State where he will be apt to spread desolation wherever he goes as it is reported that his force is between 25 and 35,000 men.

I think after all it was for the best that you went home when you did as I would be obliged to be away from home so long. Should my life be spared, I think I may come east the last of next month as by that time Price will have been dealt with and I think bushwhacking will have been stopped. I hope to be able to be back to my next Quarterly Meeting which is the 2nd Saturday & Sabbath in November. How much I would like to see you this morning. I very often think of you all and do hope you may all keep well, and that above all things the children will be good and not worry their Grandma out. Does [our daughter] Sis walk or talk any yet? And I wonder if she has utterly forgotten [her] Papa?

We are quartered in an old school house (I. E., our company) and as the Centralia portion have drawn off, it has reduced our company to about 20. Mr. Kline is our captain since Mr. [Lewis] Sheeley has been promoted to Lieut. Colonel. He is quite a quiet steady man but some of the company are just about as vulgar and profane as you often find. It is strange how sometimes sensible men will be inclined to throw off restraint when away from family & home. There are so many continually talking that it seems impossible to unite two thoughts. We are divided off into three messes with 7 in each mess. Three of the number are appointed as cooks who are exempted from guard duty. I for one preferred to do regular duty. I have been on duty one turn which amounts to 8 hours in the 24. 2 hours on guard and four off. The guard is changed every 24 hours.

It is impossible without actual observation to know the amount of expense of the whole machinery. There are estimated to be present about 1600 soldiers in the city. For every five soldiers there is a span of horses & waggon, the owner of which gets $4.00 a day, making in all 300 spans of horses & waggons. There are about a hundred mounted cavalry and you can judge something of the amount of hay & corn that it takes to keep them all, and at the present prices with corn at $1.25 a bushel & hay at $20 a ton you can judge a little of the cost just in that department. Then the companies are small, which fact makes a great many officers who draw at the rate of 3 & 4 dollars a day. Oh, who can estimate. It can’t do otherwise than sink our State into a very heavy debt. I hope to get a letter from you this week as I understand Uncle James K__t is coming down after his brother. But whether I do or not, I hope to have four prayers when at the evening hour you bow before our Heavenly Father, that I may be kept and brought safely to see you all again. If we do not get marching orders I will write you again tomorrow. Expect, however, we may be ordered to Wyandotte or Kansas City. Yours ever, - J. S. Griffing

In camp, Kansas City
October 23, 1864

My Dear Wife [Augusta],

We came here last evening. [General] Price is reported to have entered Westport last evening and [is] said to have a force of from 20 thousand to 40. If so, and as he is pretty well surrounded, I am looking for a pretty severe contest today. Our company may be in the midst of a most terrible slaughter. The thing has become more of a reality than I was expecting when I started. I hope everything will be for the best.

Half past two o’clock. I commenced writing [you] this morning [when] an order came that we must drop everything and march at once. So we came over to the breastworks which Col. Jennison had thrown up for the protection of Kansas City. Col. Jennison was driven in by the rebels last evening into the entrenchments where we are at present quartered. They are at present fighting a tremendous battle five miles south of this [location]. The wounded are being brought in, in large numbers. We can see the smoke of the battle very plainly, but the wind is quite unfavorable, and the continued talking and cheering as the dispatches come in prevents our hearing much of the thunder of the artillery.

Still later. Our men have cut off his long train of commissaries, taken a large amount of his pillage, and Price is going South just as fast as he can. An order has come requiring just as many of our men as possible to get horses and pursue him. I have not yet been down to the hospital to see the wounded. Our regimental surgeon, Dr. Hidden, just told me they were generally slightly wounded; he thought but few cases would prove fatal. You can form no idea of the amount of Militia here – especially the infantry. I was just down where the Topeka boys were camped. They told me the Topeka battery was taken by the enemy yesterday and Col. Veale’s [1] cavalry company was cut off from the main body, and they had not as yet heard from them.

Next morning. Dreary from standing guard most of the night. News comes that the enemy are retreating [as] fast as they can go with our men in hot pursuit, fighting him with the artillery and cavalry. A great many hundred have already been killed and taken prisoners. Yesterday, whilst a portion of the men were packing up to leave on the retreat, they were surprised by a battery planted in their front which mowed down a large number of them. Our Captain, who was ordered down to assist in guarding prisoners, says he thinks we will be ordered home again today. I do hope it will be so that I can go out to the battlefield before I return. Returning cavalry militia state that the “Rebs” are scattered quite thickly over the ground. Preparations are making for a drill so I will leave this and hope to write again soon. Hoping I may be able to tell you good news about the Topeka Cavalry, as Capt. [Joshua B.] Hannum’s Company [2] was away then. Now I would like to hear how you all are this morning. Ever your own affectionate husband, -- James

NB. Excuse the dirt grease and writing as it has been done mostly as I could catch it on my knee in camp.

Battle of Westport Map
from A. Konig's Battle Grounds in Missouri

[Owego, New York]
October 23, 1864

[My dear James,]

[Portion of letter missing] … of trouble in Missouri, but have hoped the rebels would be driven off without their doing much mischief. I did not expect the Militia would be called out. Do all the men have to leave Lincoln? And do they have to go from about Topeka [too]? I feel sorry for sister Jones and all of the women with families. Give my love to them all whenever you see them. I think of them often. I think Mrs. Lipscomb will find it more agreeable living in Topeka than alone. I was wondering if she had left Lincoln that day I received your last letter. Did you see Nancy & Jacob [Orcutt] when in Topeka?

Our people want me should stay this winter, and I would enjoy it very much if the children were of the quiet kind, but Ma and [my sister] Sarah say they can put up with it if I will stay. It will be much more safe for them if I do. If it is not safe [traveling through Missouri], I do not want to go nor do I want to go & have to stay there alone & have you called off [with the militia]. I did not think when I left that you would have to go so much else I should have hesitated about leaving. But now [that] I am here, I do not feel like going back into the trouble.

Here they are having great times politically – mass meetings & speeches &c. I shall be glad when the election is over & hope there will be no “free fighting” as some talk about. But people get wonderfully excited. Governor [Horatio] Seymour spoke in Owego Friday night [and] at Binghamton Friday. He spoke at Goshen the day Ma and I returned and rode in the same car with us a few miles.

Lydia Ann Harris spent Thursday & Friday here. And Friday morning [your brother-in-law] Grove [Pike] brought your mother down here & she spent the day & Aunt Mary Goodrich came up. We had a pleasant visit. Your mother said her visit to Springport had done her good… [Your true wife-- Augusta]

Owego [New York]
October 27, 1864

My dear husband [James],

Three letters have come from you in the last few days – one written just before you left Lincoln, one at Atchison, & one that I ought to have received before the first one you wrote after getting back from Topeka. I also received one from Carrie Winans yesterday written at Topeka a few days after her husband left. I think of you so much and wish I could hear sooner how and where you are. I cannot help but feel worried and anxious all the time since hearing of your trip to Atchison & the probabilities of your being out exposed to wet & cold weather. I am sorry it must be so, but suppose it cannot be helped. Carrie wrote the excitement was very great about Topeka & they were making preparations for a fight. Women were hiding their valuables. She wrote that Mr. Steele and Sister Arnold had died.

It is after bedtime and Aunt Lucy Berry has been here all day & will stay until tomorrow. And just before night, a young woman came here & wanted to stay all night. She had a sad story to tell. She was in Minnesota near New Ulm at the time of the [August 1862] massacre [of a large number of settlers by Dakota Sioux Indians and] was living with an Uncle & Aunt who had adopted her. They were killed, she supposed, & she escaped to the brush & stayed all night & found a horse in the morning & rode to St. Paul where she was deranged five months. She gradually got better & started for her father’s who she supposed lived in Orwell, but she found out after starting that he lived 14 miles below Owego [New York]. Her ticket brought her to Owego, but she has lost her shawl & purse. Her clothes are good, nice & clean, & we all feel sorry for her. Her father’s name is Hugh Hunter but she has not seen him for 14 years. Her Uncle went to Kansas in ’56 – boarded at the Eldridge House [in] Lawrence – and owned several hundred acres of land between Lawrence & Lecompton. One farm was near Judge Wakefield’s. She has gone to bed sick with a cold on her lungs & I would not be surprised if she was real sick with it. If not, [my brother] Steve has concluded to take her in the morning towards Barton near where she thinks her father lives.

We are all well. I have been intending to go up on the hill [to visit your mother] nearly every day this week but something has [always] prevented. We have had cloudy, misty weather in the morning & I thought it would rain & so did not go this morning. I may go tomorrow.

Friday. It rained hard all night & all the morning so that I gave up going on the hill for this week. But it has broken away a little and [my brother] Steve has taken that Miss Hunter down to Barton to find her father if he can. [My sister] Sarah is going to take Aunt Lucy [Berry] home after dinner & I will send this [to the post office with her].

I don’t see how we can go back to Kansas this winter, but I don’t know how you are going to get along for clothes or housekeeping. I think if we stay, I had better send [our son] John to school this winter. He does not take much interest in reading and I believe he will do better if he goes to school & reads with other children. Our folks think he ought to go to school & it will make less here to make a noise & fuss. But I think he will learn faster & take more interest in it. Write what you think about it. Consider it before you write. I have thought it over considerable & have decided that it is best. He can go [to school] with Mr. Stiles’ children. [Our other son] Willie does well alone & is more quiet [than his brother].

I hope to hear soon that the militia are not engaged in fighting. I cannot bear to think that you have got to be in battles. It is dreadful to think of the poor families left desolate & alone this time of the year. I am glad we are here if there is to be trouble in Kansas. People have said ever since I came that they would not think of going back this winter & now they think it would be foolish & unwise.

Your drawers & wrappers & stockings are in that black trunk under the window that looks towards Seneca. I hope you can get along until I do return. I think of you all the time & pray you may be preserved from danger. Yours ever, -- Augusta

Lincoln [Kansas]
October 30, 1864

My Dear Cutie [Augusta],

You will be glad to hear that your husband is at home again safe and sound. My last letter was written to you whilst we were in the trenches at Kansas City amidst the greatest confusion & excitement in sight of the smoke of a  most tremendous battle and if it reaches you, I want you to be sure & keep it, that I may know what I wrote, when I may see you again. The night before it was written, I thought it not improbable that I might never see you again and as my place in the ranks was next to Brother [John] Hodgins of Centralia, we had agreed with each other – as we lay sleeping upon our arms in the city of Wyandotte – if we should be spared to see about the other’s family. The Good Being averted the battle, which threatened to take place at Kansas City, and caused it to take place at another point. And the consequence is that instead of the citizens of Nemaha being thrown into the deepest mourning, our acquaintances and friends in Shawnee County suffered as much as any one county in the great conflict. I have not as yet received the full particulars but enough to convince me that it is dreadful. Not only as the Topeka Battery taken, but a great many were either killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, or are missing. Among the killed, I notice Lieut. Col. [J. P.] Greene (United Brethren preacher on Wakarusa), Mac Martin (Dr. Martin’s brother), W. P. Roberts (Judge Robert’s son at Big Springs), Mr. [Allen?], Eagle Tavern keeper at Big Springs, Dan Handley of Topeka, John Ward (the Ward’s son above Topeka), H. C. Coville living above Topeka, Harvey Young, N. Brown, L. Crenn, M. D. Race, G. McKeawn, Mr. Rake, Charles Budd, Mr. Chapman Turner, and two others unknown reported up to Monday as killed/wounded. I have concluded to cut out the piece and send you. Please preserve it. [3]

As to Brother Hannum’s Company, I am almost afraid to hear the particulars. Those killed living at Big Springs must have been in his Company. I saw Tyler a moment at Kansas City. He says they were right in the fight and had plenty to do. Says that he (Tyler) lost a horse. I am anxious to learn the fate of Bro. Hannum, Taylor, S. Stevenson, Cloyson, Ward & all our old neighbors. Also to hear the fate of the many taken prisoners. It is most dreadful to think of. Had we been residing at Topeka, I might have been in the thickest of the fight and helped to do something for the salvation of my state, and the good of my country. It is said the Topeka boys fought like tigers. They held the advancing columns of Price’s advancing legions at bay for about an hour until they were surrounded and their battery taken. [4] I have been away from home so much or I would go right down there and see and sympathize with my old neighbors. I am anxious to hear from Harry Winans. I expect he was in the midst of the fight. I learn the mail is about to start. I will write again soon as I get more particulars. I found two letters from you when I came home. One written with a pencil from Hartford, the other written after returning [to Owego]. Was glad to hear [from you]. I think Missouri will be safer now. I may come for you directly after my Quarterly Meeting, or preacher’s meeting, starting about the 20th of November if you deem best. Write and let me know. Buy just as little as you must at present prices. Everything is bound to change after [the presidential] election. – J. S. Griffin

My love to all, especially to my jewels. Tell them Pa loves them and wants to see them very much.

Inserted into the same letter to Augusta on a separate scrap of paper, James scribbled:

You were acquainted with Daniel W. Boutwell of Topeka? Gen. Carney, knowing him to be an old scout and of a fearless disposition, came to him in company with Gen. [George] Deitzler and offered any sum he might fix upon to go through the enemies country and convey dispatches to Gen. Pleasanton whom the enemy was holding in check a good many miles in the rear of the enemies main army. He agreed to do it for this purpose. He started in the night with a skiff down the Missouri [River] but after proceeding a few miles it kept lodging along the sandbars so he concluded to let the skiff go and try it on foot. He attempted to row the skiff ashore but it caught on a bar before getting there and he, in getting out, settled down in the deep mud and became all beslimed before getting ashore. But undaunted [and] without arms, he settled started on foot across the enemies country. There were scouts going in every direction and pickets stationed everywhere where any good to the enemy might be effected. He finally after many risks succeeded in reaching Gen. Pleasanton with his dispatches and, after doing so, started back. On his way in he came right into the enemies camp, passing their pickets and sauntered around in it some time. On his way out, he was halted by a picket but started and ran. The picket fired at him but missed. He came on to where his company were camped on the Little Blue [River] when he left [to go on his errand the night of October 21st] and found there had been a fight and our forces driven back to Kansas City. He found there a rebel, wounded and leading another horse. He went up to him and took him prisoner to Kansas City with the two horses. I saw the horses inside our entrenchments and this is the substance of the adventure as I had it from the mouth of an old friend, J. B. Whitaker, who gave me the whole account. It was a daring adventure indeed, but undoubtedly was the very thing that brought Gen. Pleasanton to the relief of our militia forces at Kansas City, and turned the battle in our favor.

Owego [New York]
October 30, 1864

My dear husband [James],

I see by one of the New York papers that [General] Price has been defeated & has retreated. I hope it is true and that there will be no need of you or any others of the militia to be sent after him again. I received a letter written at Atchison and was in hopes to get another yesterday but none came. I hope to hear soon that all are safe.

All are well [here] but [our son] John. He had a light chill today but I think may not have any more. I [had] two light ones when in Glastonbury [Connecticut]. I felt like having them before I went to Connecticut several times but took [quinine] pills, which seemed to prevent them.

Our folks take it for granted that we are going to stay this winter. It will cost them considerable more, I know, but they will not listen to my going back until it is peaceful there [in Kansas]. I hope you can get along comfortable, but you must have a cold time of it if you stay there alone. There are plenty of bedclothes and you must sleep in the front room [by the fireplace]. When you come for us, there are some things I want you to bring. One is John’s overcoat – not that everyday one hanging up. It is in one of the trunks or boxes – I think in that largest trunk. Also bring Willie’s plaid over cloak. I thought of bringing them but had no room for them – but wish I had put them in somewhere. I am making them clothes of what old ones I can get. Ma has given me what she had & Aunt Mary gave me some but not enough. I shall have to get some things.

I received a letter from Mrs. Curtis the past week. She writes we must surely visit them on our return [trip]. I hope we can. Had you not rather do so than come that way? They have sold their place in Edgar County [Illinois] for $5500.00. She had not heard of Mr. Steele’s death. He had written to them about their land near him [and] said he would like to buy it if the price suited him.

Carrie [Winans] wrote me you had been sick. Why did you not tell me? And what was the matter? You must not keep such things from me. Has Father Winans had his buggy fixed any or is it all in pieces as when I last saw it? I suppose you & Henry [Winans] did not trade cattle, as you wrote nothing about it.

Sarah Pitcher & her two children & her sister & one child spent the day here Tuesday. The same day the Democrats had a mass meeting & torch light procession in the evening. The Republicans have one & then the Democrats, & so they keep it up spending thousands of dollars in Owego. I shall be glad when [the] election is over.

Mr. Anthony is very sick with lung fever. We have had a long rain & the streams are up – the first since in the spring. Wells were dry & people were much troubled in getting water.

I hope this will find you well and that the next letter will bring me good news from you. The boys often talk of you and want to see you very much. Write often as you can. Ever your, -- Augusta

[Lincoln, Nemaha County, Kansas]
Thursday, November 3, 1864

My Dear Cutie [Augusta],

I was glad to get a letter from you this morning written the very day we were in the entrenchments at Kansas City when were on the sharp lookout for Old Pap Price. I ought to have written you before this week, but I have waited in hopes to get more of the particulars from Topeka. But nothing has come as yet and on the back of my last week’s Topeka paper was written, “the last number paid for.” So I expect I shall be obliged to renew my subscription in order to get any more. I almost dread to hear the particulars for fear of the worst. The last paper spoke of Capt. Hannum being safe but said nothing of his command. That Roberts which I [said in my last letter] was Judge Robert’s son of Big Springs proves [instead] to be our Bro. Roberts of Auburn, the class leader there. Oh what a blow to his dear wife. How often I have thought of her. You know it almost killed her to lose her boy. And now her husband is gone. What will they do? I am afraid Bro. Brown is also killed. It spoke of I. G. Brown of Auburn and there is no Brown there but I. W. Brown. I have felt just as if I ought to go right down there and see for myself but I already have been away so much this fall that it has seemed to the people as if they had no preacher and they are paying accordingly. I have been down to prayer meeting this evening to Mr. Stinson. There were a good many out and we had a right good meeting. They are hauling rock to rock up under the schoolhouse and intend to concrete it and seal it for a winter school. Bro. [A. King] Moore’s wife’s brother [Edmund Pickup] is to teach this winter.

I have been busy this week trying to make our house more comfortable but had to do everything without materials which you know is not very convenient. In the first place, I obtained some lime and then managed to get some sand, then a lot of boards for boxing and have been concreting the partition between the two rooms and want to finish tomorrow. And it is bound to make a difference in the warmth of the two rooms. It will especially make the south room (my room) just as cosy as you please and if you will only come home, you can enjoy it with me. The evenings and days are beginning to seem long & lonely but I try to keep busy & employed some way so as to pass the time away. I am sorry I said a word about staying there all winter. If you were here a great many things would be paid in from the circuits about butchering time – also in flour & grain. The trains are again passing over the roads, also the mails, so that I think there is no danger from the Indians. And I think the driving of Price’s army from Missouri and the falling of the leaves will tend to quiet the guerillas. Should I come on [to Owego] I could not stay any time, and it would be no satisfaction to go there & [come] right back, especially so late in the year. I have been thinking that I had better wait a year or two before I go home and I will come [instead] through Missouri and meet you at Sister Curtis’ [home in Illinois] at whatever time you may fix. What do you think about it? Can I possibly weather it through the long, tedious, dreary winter all alone? You ask where I sleep. Why right in the parlor on the best bedstead…

With regard to selling your land [in Tioga County, New York], do as you like. If sold, the money will all slip away but you know it. Should you conclude to come, better bring nothing but what is worth over 30 cents a pound as it will cost you that to get any extra through to this place over what you are allowed. Should you conclude to come, better borrow money and I will pay again soon as I can. You speak of politics. What are the prospects of Father Abraham [Lincoln in the upcoming election]? He is all right in Kansas. I will send [a photograph of] himself & wife hoping they may reach you before [the November] Elections. I thought you would want our next president in your Album. Should you come to Sister Curtis’, better buy a ticket through to St. Louis & come by way of Indianapolis. But do as you think best entirely. Please write soon as you get this. Kiss all the children for Papa. Tell them he has frequent opportunities to think of them and wants them all to be good. Your husband, -- James