The Capture of Gen. Marmaduke

Gen. John S. Marmaduke	Gen. James H. Lane

            The "Battle of the Osage" was fought in the latter part of October, 1864. There were two engagements, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. During the morning fight the present Governor of Missouri, Gen. Marmaduke, was taken prisoner. I was a participant in the charge made by the Union forces, and an eye-witness of his capture., although his identity was not known for a half hour afterwards. The country for miles to the Osage region is unbroken prairie; the ground undulating; the hills and hollows seeming to run parallel. It was, therefore, a model battleground, and, in reading the accounts of the English campaign in the Sudan, I was reminded vividly of our pursuit of the Confederates through Missouri.

            Just after crossing the dry bed of the Osage River, we heard skirmishing, and soon came in sight of the enemy formed in line of battle and waiting for us. I was captain of Company H, Tenth Missouri Cavalry; Col. Bentine, commander, and Gen. Pleasanton, brigade commander. My position was on the left as we drew up in line. During my four years of service I had seen many wonderful sights and had been in some close quarters, but never had I seen 9,000 horsemen drawn up in battle array, and the sight was certainly a thrilling one. I believe I am safe in saying that since the battle of the Pyramids in Egypt, modern warfare had not seen the like. The enemy were well supported by their artillery, and as I looked across the intervening space I could see the mouths of the cannon.

            While we sat on our horses waiting for orders, Generals Pleasanton and Curtis came riding down between the lines. As they passed me I heard Pleasanton say "we must come together now." These words, and the ominous looks of the cannon, assured me that a serious moment was at hand. I had $600 about me, which I put into an official envelope. I then directed it to my sister and gave it to the surgeon, with the request to forward it in case of my death, or as the boys were in the habit of saying in case I did not "come out".

    At last the bugle sounded the charge. The long lines surged in and out, but no advance was made. Again the bugle rang out on the still air, and again the lines wavered. Then suddenly a rider on a white horse burst through the ranks and rode at the foe. Like an avalanche we followed. In the excitement every fear vanished and we rode through the enemy's ranks, dispersing them right and left. They had fired one valley and had no time to reload.

Their right wing was completely cut off from the main body and surrounded. Having no other alternative they surrendered, and we were soon busy dismounting them and hurrying them to the rear. On my way back with a crowd of prisoners we met Gen. James Lane going to the front. He stopped, and pushing his way through the crowd of guards and prisoners, walked up to a tall, fine-looking Confederate, held out his hand, and said: "How do you do, General Marmaduke?" The man shook his hand warmly, and after a few words General Lane walked away taking General Marmaduke with him.

    When taken Gen. Marmaduke had on his hat a star and crescent. At the time no one knew him, and Colonel Bentine, noticing the ornaments, cut them from the hat as trophies of war. The star when last heard from was in a museum in Chicago. Gen. Marmaduke had no insignia of office from which he could be distinguished from the common soldiers, having a simple gray uniform and a large slouch hat. I have never learned who the rider on the white horse was that led the charge other than he was a staff officer.

        The Confederates made a stand in the afternoon, forming a square, but could not stand before our onslaught, and again retreated. That night horses and men lay down and slept together. So utterly worn out were we that no one thought of eating; going to sleep was so much easier.