Reminiscences of The Battle of Lone Jack
                                                                By

Major Harvey J. Vivian

The Battle of Lone Jack took place August 16th 1862, and has the reputation
of being one of the most talked of battles which was fought in the state of
Missouri, It being a fair example of the majority of other battles, and a never
to be forgotten [ ] in the minds of those who engaged therein.

It may truthfully be said of them that a stranger or more heroic body of men
never entered the battlefield. And considering their lack of equipment all the
more praise as well as credit is due The Confederate Side. Many of them had
on halters to guide their horses with, and many of them rode bareback. They
went into the fight with determination to win and the fact that they were
unable to present a Military appearance did not deter them in the least.

Their strength and courage of Conviction was shown when they entered the
Battle Field with no less enthusiasm on this account. The Confederates
realized to the fullest how superior the enemy was in regard to arms and
equipment, Their being upheld by the United States Government, but where
it came to courage they felt they were more than on equal grounds.

Like the Battle of Independence it was begun early in the morning. Colonel
Hays was now in command of the soldiers who had heretofore been under
Colonel Hughes.

When the fight began The Confederates were lined up on the west side of
Lone Jack, while the Federals had taken the opposite side, with only the main
street a space of about two hundred feet between them, in this position for
half a day.

Out in the street and around their battery, rushed the Federals. Hays with
his men moved nearer and nearer, both sides keeping up the fusilade of
bullets. Each side giving forth all its strength in and effort to over power the
other. Had either side been joined by reinforcements which they expected
momentarily the victory would have been proclaimed long before, but the
fighting forces were too well equalized for either side to gain headway.

Finally the Federals conceived the idea of bringing their horses to the front,
thus forming a barricade for themselves. Hays, however, was not daunted by
this. He promptly gave command to "Shoot the Horses"! This being carried
out the next was to, "Take The Battery"! which was also done in a short
time. Twice was their battle captured by the Confederates and twice was it
regained by the Federals.

The Confederates were beaten back the second time amid shouts and much
confusion. On the battle raged men fell to the ground, disabeled, wounded or
killed. Over half of Grooms Company of which I was a member fell during
the battle.

The courage of Colonel Hays demanded the admiration of everyone.

During the time we were fighting on the east side of the hedge he came over
to us and amid so few men asked where the company was. To which I replied,
"We are all here except those who have fallen." Saying that "he would show
them something" he then ordered us to, "Charge Double Quick", at the same
time dashing forth himself with a gun in each hand. He began shooting with
both at the same time. Those who were without arms sometimes going at the
enemy in a hand to hand skirmish. The entire town was in a continuous
uproar for several hours, they fough in houses, they fought in barns, they
fought in stores. Everywhere they fought madly, wildly & Capt. Winfrey
with his !st Lieut [ ] were participants in this mad melee, once he led their
company with the flag floating over them, against the Federals who had
invaded the former’s house, as well as his drug store. It seems once the
Confederates were out of ammunition there were Bullets! Bullets!
Everywhere, but not a Bullet to be shot!!! A horseman came bravely to the
resecue however by dashing boldly up and down distributing ammunition. For
which act he received a rousing cheer from The Federals. When the battle
ended the Federal battery fell into the hands of the Confederates, all the
Federal Artillery horses having been killed they were compelled to abandon it
upon leaving the battle field.

At one time when Captain Groom had given us orders to retreat from the
Federal Cavalry which was crowding closely upon us, I with three other
comrades was captured. Wash Thompson who was a brother of Colonel
Thompson, Joe Gaddy, all Clay County boys, and another whose name I
don’t remember. The Infantry rushed down and began fire. There upon soon
killing my comrades. Their Lieuntenant then ordered them to take me to
headquarters. Thereby making me their prisoner. I was ordered to double
quick but refused to do so. They started to march me through Federal ranks at
which time and fortunately for me there came a fusilade of bullets from our
side. My three guards fell to the ground promptly, and in their anxiety to save
themselves, forgot all about me. In less time than required to tell it, I bolted,
and had gained the hedge fence not far distant when a bullet pierced my arm.
Time was too precious to delay and through the hedge I scrambled. Upon
landing on the other side I was some what of a tattered malion, the majority
of my clothes had hung in the hedge. Through the cornfield I dashed, dodging
from row to row, suddenly there appeared a riderless horse before me, as if he
had dropped out of heaven. I am mounted upon his back when the Federal
Cavalry discovers me. "Halt"! and "Who goes there"! and "Who are you
anyway"! were some of the questions shouted at me. But I was deaf for the
time being. "Boys take him prisoner", shouted their Colonel.

Onward I dashed with the three guards in close pursuit, firing with every
jump. I could hear the bullets piercing the air-I urged my horse onward and he
proved himself worthy he could out go a comet! But would he take this rapidly
approaching rail fence. Quickly I threw off the rail and he jumped it
unhesitatingly and in a little while brought me into my own company. "We
thought you were killed" shouted Colonel Bohanon when I told him of my
three comrades fatal episode-he remarked that Providence had surely been on
my side. And so much for the Battle of Lone Jack.




Original letter held in the Jackson County (Missouri) Historical Society
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