Weekly Missouri State Times, Jefferson City, Missouri
Vol 5, No. 33; pg 2
August 23, 1867

IMMENSE GATHERING AT LONE JACK
Five thousand Union soldiers and citizens in attendance—Solemn and
impressive Ceremonies—Organization of Monumental Association—
Speeches—Incidents--&c., &c.,
[From the Kansas City Journal]
    Only a few days since, some of the survivors of the memorable battle of
Lone Jack, together with their loyal friends residing at Pleasant Hill and
vicinity, determined to celebrate the anniversary of the battle by a gathering at
the found, and the organization of an association having for its object the
erection of a monument which should perpetuate to the latest posterity, the
memory of the brave men who fell on that ensanguined field.  Accordingly, as
extensive notice was given as the limited time would permit, and preparations
were actively made for rendering the occasion as solemn and interesting as
possible.

Departure from Kansas City

    On Thursday evening a numerous delegation accompanied by the Kansas
City Silver Band, under the leadership of Prof. D. Bantie, left the depot to
join in the celebration of the coming day.  At Independence they were joined
by a number of the old soldiers of that city, and a short ride in the refreshing
cool of the evening brought us to Pleasant Hill, where an immense crowd had
gathered to welcome the delegation from the West.  The party left the train
amid the strains of music, the deafening cheers of the assembled multitudes,
and the thunder of a section of light artillery, served by that old soldier, Capt.
John P. duff, formerly of the second Battalion (Newgent’s) MSM and the
Sixth Kansas Cavalry.  The committee of arrangements were in waiting, and
the band, together with the Kansas City people , were conducted to the
Sherman House, where a substantial supper was in waiting for them.
    After supper our band, although weary with the fatigues of the celebration
at the Wyandotte bridge, kindly went out on the platform and entertained an
assemble multitude with their sweet music, until nearly midnight, at which
time all retired to rest, full of anticipations for the morrow.
    At four in the morning, the Eastern Express arrived, bringing Governor
Fletcher and family, Senator Townsley and General Montgomery, of Sedalia,
and a large crowd of people form Johnson, Pettis and other eastern counties.  
During the night  large delegations had arrived form Bates, Henry and Cass  
counties, so that be early morning an immense crowd were in attendance.
    At 7 o’clock the procession was formed under the direction of the Chief
marshal and assistants, and the line of march taken up for Lone Jack.
    Rarely have we seen a more beautiful spectacle than was presented on that
bright summer morning.  The procession, over a mile in length, with the stars
and strips, and tattered and battle-worn guidons, displayed from almost every
wagon, all of which were crowed with the brave and fair of Western Missouri,
dragged its slow length along, and at 10 o’clock, arrived at Lone Jack.
    This town previous to the war was but a little hamlet, deriving its name
from a lone oak which stood out in the surrounding prairie.  It consisted of
about twenty houses, and early in the late rebellion, became distinguished for
the disloyalty of its people, and as a plotting place against the peace and
loyalty of the surrounding country.  During the war it was swept with the
bosom of destruction and nearly blotted out of existence, while most of the
traitors who concocted treason there, long since filled unknown graves.  Only
about half of the former building now remain, and they are riddled and torn
with shot, and marks of the terrible affray that transpired there five years ago.
    The Battle of Lone Jack, in proportion to the numbers engaged, was one of
the most sanguinary of the war.  On the evening of the 15th of August, 1862.  
major E. foster, with about six hundred Missouri troops, and two pieces of
artillery, encamped in the town of Lone Jack.  At daylight the following
morning this little handful of men was attached by a rebel force of not less
than three thousand, under the command of Cols. Coffee, Thompson and
Hays.  The battle raged with unabated furry for more than three hours, much
of the time being almost a hand to hand conflict, and the artillery having been
captured by and taken from the rebels no less than three times.  The rebels
finally retired from the field, leaving it in our possession, with their dead and
wounded.  But learning that the rebels were every moment expecting large
reinforcements under Gen. Shelby, our troops shortly retreated, and all the
horses being killed, were obliged to abandon their artillery. Of the Federal
force engaged, one-third were either killed or wounded, while the loss of the
rebels was much larger, embracing many disloyal citizens of the vicinity who
had volunteered their services to assist in crushing the devoted band who so
valiantly defended the old flag on that bloody day.  Among the slain was
Capt. Long, while Major e. Foster, Lieut. E Rodgers, now of worthy officers,
were dangerously wounded. Major Balis, Adjutant of Newgent’s Battalion,
was captured by the enemy.
    The battlefield, aside from the houses standing now, presents but few
marks of the terrible strife that made it historic ground.  Beautiful fields of
ripening corn now wave over its undulating surface, while so quiet and serene
was the scene, that everywhere presented itself to the admiring eye, it hardly
seemed possible that only five short years ago, the demon of civil war here
held unbridled sway.  The dead who fell were buried by the rebels, their own
in a long line of separate graves while the Federal slain were placed in a trench
on the left of the rebels, only a pace distant, with neiher head board or stone
to mark the place of their quiet graves.  The “Lone Jack”, which marked the
right of the rebel graves, withered and died from the day of battle, as if
unwilling to perform monumental service for the disloyal sleepers below, while
a mass of tangled and noisome briars and weeds cover the rebel graves.—
Strange as it may seem, although left in silent neglect, a close and well set
turf has spread its protecting mantle above the breast of the Federal dead, and
the flowers of spring bloom in profusion on their honored dust.
    The exercises at the grove, where had assembled and were awaiting our
arrival, a numerous throng from the surrounding country, were commenced
(Dr. W.H.H. Cundiff, of Pleasant Hill, presiding,) with an impressive prayer
bu the Rev. Mr. Demoft of the M.E. Church.  The eulogy to the memory of
the fallen was then pronounce by the Rev. Mr. Miller, of Pleasant Hill, and
was an effort characterized by the much beauty, earnestness and thought.—
Governor Fletcher then followed in a speech beautiful, eloquent and every
way worthy of the occasion.  We regret that time and space do not permit us
to give at least an outline of their remarks.
    A splendid collation beneath the generous shade of the leafy trees from
well filled baskets was then partaken of by the assembled crowd, with the
zest and quiet enjoyment that an entire satisfaction imparted to the
interesting occasion.  This part of the proceedings over, the Lone Jack
Monumental Association was organized by the election of permanent officers
as follows:  President, Dr. W.H.H. Cundiff, of Pleasant Hill, Vice
President, Col. E.F. Rodgers, of Kansas City, Secretary, Judge L. Williams,
of Pleasant Hill, Treasurer, Martin Rice, Jackson county.
    Directors—Col.  A.G. Newgent, Kansas City; Col. J.P. St. John,
Independence; Maj. J.M. Hubbard, Holden; Capt. A.J. Briggs,
Harrisonville; Capt. John Adherison, Austin: Maj. E. Foster, Johnson
county; Capt. Foster, Pleasant Hill.  And the necessary complement of
Assistant Treasurers, Secretaries, &c.  Several hundred membership tickets
were promptly disposed of at $1.00 each, and no doubt is entertained that
sufficient means will be speedily realized to erect a monument every way
worthy of the honored dead.  The Association proposes to complete the
monument in time for its dedication on the next anniversary of the battle.
    Eloquent and impressive speeches followed by Col. A.H. Jenkins and H.
B. Johnson of Kansas City, Col. St. John of Independence, and Mr. Terrell of
Harrisonville, when the procession reformed and proceeded to the battle
ground, by the silent resting place of the fallen patriots, where homage and
honors of the most solemn character were paid to their cherished memory.  
The multitude uncovered with one accord, the band performed a solemn dirge,
while the thunders of artillery in a national salute rolled over the graves of the
departed heroes, who had lived without dishonor and died in glory.  The
crowd then silently separated toward their respective homes, all well satisfied
with the occasion which had passed off without a single incident calculated to
mar the interest of the ceremonies.
A REASONABLE AND PATRIOTIC PROPOSITION?
    It is said that the owner of the ground on which the dead of Lone Jack are
buried, proposes to charge the Association the sum of five hundred dollars for
the same, unless the proposed monument shall be erected to the memory of all
those who fell in battled there, rebel as well as Federal, to be surrounded with
an enclosure.  At an informal meeting of the officers of the Association it was
determined that if this ridiculous demand should be persisted in, to promptly
remove the Federal dead to another spot near by, which will be tendered gratis
to the Association for that purpose.