| As it is
hardly possible that the outrage which we are about to
describe will fail to find its way to the public ear,
perhaps in a still more exaggerated form, we transcribe what
seems to be a very fair account of the essential particulars
from the letter of a correspondent. We had hoped that
after the unwarranted killing of Col. Field in Pettis county
– and after the flight, from before the Court Martial, of
the Lieutenant who committed that act of barbarity, thereby
confessing his guilt – we should have been spared, by the
good conduct of the Union troops, the recital of any similar
act of atrocity. We notice this case now, to call the
attention of the military authorities. They will see
that it has none of the attributes which are specified in
military orders, and justify the killing of rebels when
found with arms in their hands:
In Monroe county,
Missouri, near the Salt river railroad bridge, on Sunday
last, as Mr. James M. Lasley and his family were returning
from church, together with a party of young ladies and
gentlemen, who were visiting them at their country home,
they found their dwelling and ground occupied by Federal
troops who had been stationed at the bridge. Suspecting
no harm, though finding the grounds guarded they advance
toward their residence, when Mr. Lasley was ordered to get
down and go to Palmyra. He replied, that they must
permit him to enter the house and get a thicker coat, as he
would be absent all night. This they positively denied,
telling him that the coat he had would do him. They
then placed him and James Prices (a young son of a widow
lady) and young Ridgeway, an only son of aged parents, in
front of the Federal lines.
The young ladies and
Mrs. Lasley, with her two children, yet remained on the
ground. having separated these three gentlemen form the
ladies whom they had escorted from church, the officer in
command addressed some very insulting words to them.. The
dreadful truth that they were to be shot at once flashed
across mrs. Laley’s mind, and she darted to join her
husband and share his fate, but was caught and held by one
of the youn ladies present, just as Mr. lasley and young
Price fell, having been shot dead. young Ridgeway
rushed into the woods which were near, but delayed his death
only a few seconds, for he was pursued and instantly killed.
It is proper further
to say, that Mr. Lasley had taken the oath of allegiance,
and was under a heavy bond; that young Ridgeway was also
under oath and bond, and that Price was only fifteen or
sixteen years of age.
Before this crime was
committed, it is alleged that the soldiery had taken
possession of Mr. Lasley’s house – had helped themselves
to everything they wanted – had partaken of a good dinner
which the cook was ordered to prepare for them, and had
destroyed many household articles.
We feel sure that our
military authorities will not permit this outrage to go
without investigation. – Mo. Republican.
Source: Page 2 of the
Liberty Weekly Tribune dated Aug 01, 1862 at http://newspapers.umsystem.edu/archive |
