BATTLE OF SILVER CREEK, MO.
January 8, 1862.
It was the misfortune of Missouri, more than any other State, to be a battle-ground for the guerrilla forces of the rebels, and for the skirmishing engagements of the war. These minor battles, while they had but little effect on the great result, inflicted untold horrors on the people dwelling there.
At the opening of the year 1862, General Pope had command of the North-western District of the State, with his headquarters at Otterville, Cooper county.
Having heard that the enemy was busily engaged in recruiting men in Roanoke and adjoining counties, Major W. M. G. Torrence of the First Iowa Cavalry was ordered to concentrate and take command of several small bodies of Federal troops, then guarding important points in the district, and to break up the rebel encampments.
From Booneville, Major Torrence proceeded to Fayette, Howard county, and for several days was actively engaged in scouring the country and endeavoring to ascertain the position and strength of the rebel forces. He found that Colonel Poindexter was recruiting in various places in the county, and that he was encamped with his principal force, of from five to seven hundred men, on Silver Creek, and had other camps to reinforce him when ready to move, to the number of from twelve to fifteen hundred men.
They further reported that he had pledged himself to his men that he would clean out the Federals in the county of Howard in a very few days. Night after night was selected to surprise the Union camp with his whole force, but through some mishap they never appeared. On the morning of January 8th, all was in motion in the Federal camp, under orders from Major Torrence to hold themselves in readiness to move with all their able-bodied men at an early hour. They took up their line of march for Roanoke, and, after moving a few miles, were joined by Major Hubbard’s command. The forces now comprised a portion of Merrill’s horse, under Major Hunt, one company of the Fourth Ohio, under Captain Foster, a part of the Missouri First, under Major Hubbard, and four companies of the First Iowa, under Major Torrence. After passing the town of Roanoke, the whole column moved rapidly about five miles, and halted to have position and duties assigned to the several commands. Learning that the enemy were in a strong position on the Creek, where it probably would be impossible to charge them with mounted men, it was determined to dismount and fight as infantry.
Captain Foster was assigned the advance, followed by Merrill’s Horse and the Missouri First, all armed with carbines. The First Iowa were to make a descent upon the camp with drawn sabers, and if impossible to make a charge mounted, they were to dismount and move on foot. Lieutenant Dustin, of the First Iowa, with ten men, formed the advance guard. All being in readiness, they moved forward very rapidly, and followed the tortuous windings of a road leading through narrow lanes and thick timber, till the sharp crack of a rifle warned them that they were upon the rebel pickets. This was the signal to rush forward, which was done. On, on they pushed, through underbrush and defiles, till the advanced guard rushed to the entrance of their camp, and found the enemy drawn up in line of battle. It was now found that the thick timber and underbrush forbade a charge upon the camp. The order to dismount passed along the lines, and a column of armed infantry emerged from the lines on the roadside, ready for the onset. The battle now commenced in earnest, and volley after volley of musketry told that the work of death had begun.
The enemy rushed from their line of battle, after their second volley, into the intrenchment formed by the creek, and behind trees, logs, etc., opened fire upon the Union lines, which was promptly answered by their forces, armed with carbines, by a continued fire. Major Torrence now ordered his men forward with revolver and sabre, to make a charge on the camp; and with a yell running wildly along their lines they advanced, in the face of the enemy’s fire, and rushed into their camp. So great was the eagerness to move forward, that three companies claimed the honor of being first in camp.
The enemy now gave way tumultuously, and ran from their camp, leaving guns, horses, camp equipage, powder, and a large quantity of new clothing for men in Price’s army. It was a complete rout, as the appearance of the camp fully attested. It was now nearly dark, with a heavy fog, and fearing that the enemy had only retired as a ruse to rally and come to the attack again, the order was given to destroy the whole camp and equipage. The work of destruction was soon complete—wagons, saddles, tents, blankets, clothing, etc., were gathered up, flung on the fires, and soon became one heap of burning ruins. The Federals now looked up their dead and wounded, and cared for them. The enemy’s dead lay in all portions of the camp, and the groans of their dying mingled with the exultant shouts of the victors. It was a fearful struggle, as the soldiers all knew that they never could retreat, and it was victory or death to them. The cool courage and gallant bearing of the officers in command, were worthy of Americans.
The loss of the enemy was 12 killed, 22 wounded and 15 prisoners. That of the Federals 3 killed and 10 wounded.
