The Turnbo Manuscripts
by Silas Claiborne Turnbo
1844-1925
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THEY DETESTED THE COWARDICE OF THE ONE AND ADMIRED THE
BRAVERY OF THE OTHER
By S. C. Turnbo
Mr. John Bias, son of Hiram Bias who in war times served in Co. B. 16 Missouri
Cavalry union side, tells the following incidents which occurred while the
federal army were beating back General Sterling Price and his men in October,
1864. "While we were near Kansas City, Missouri," said Mr. Bias,
"I saw a soldier bring a confederate soldier who he had captured in
a hemp stack where the Southerner had attempted to hide himself before a
federal officer. The officer ask the man what he was doing up there and
the prisoner who showed evidence of being badly demoralized replied in this
way. "I was conscripted and was forced to join the southern army or
I would not have been here." This he spoke in a whining and begging
manner. The officer looked on him in contempt and says you are a coward
and do not deserve the treatment due a prisoner of war and no doubt you
joined the rebel army willingly and afraid to acknowledge it. At this moment
some of the soldiers brought a young man as prisoner before the same officer.
He was a brave looking fellow and did not seem to fear anything. The officer
ask the young fellow the same question he had ask the other prisoner and
the young man promptly answered. "I am here doing my best to drive
you devils back to keep you from pursuing use" This was given in such
a bold and fearless way that all the federal soldiers who were in hearing
gave a big cheer and the line of blue coats took it up and the loud cheering
went up the line. The other man was abused, some of the men went far enough
to kick him. In a few seconds more the officer says to the young man, "When
did you see Pop Price." And he said, "Just awhile ago, and I do
wish I was on the hind seat of his buggie with him." And the soldiers
gave the gallant young fellow another cheer, This is no hearsay with me.
I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears." said Mr.
Bias.
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