John P

John P. Taylor, Dunklin Co., Missouri

John P. Taylor, was arrested 7 January 1864 and accused of being a Guerilla and Bushwhacker.
While serving under orders of the Confederate Army, as a 1^st Lieutenant, in Kennett, Dunklin Co., Missouri, John P. Taylor burned a farmhouse of farmer Edward Richardson, who was killed in the fire.

Imprisoned at the Cape Girardeau jail from 7 January 1864 until 28 September 1864. Transferred to St. Gratiot Prison in St. Louis. On 6 April 1865, transferred to jail in Jefferson Co., Missouri for his trial. Charged with murder, destruction of property, and disobeying the oath of allegiance.

Witnesses called to his trial were: Mrs. George Richardson, step-son, and daughter, Barnett Shirley, George N. Dickerson, Frank McKee, John C. Agnew, Martha Duent, Martha Baner, and Haney Gier, who lived across the river in Illinois

John P. Taylor was found guilty and sentenced to jail at the Missouri State Penitentiary.

Following is John P. Taylor’s statement letter defending his actions.

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STATEMENT

John P. Taylor

When in the Spring of 1862 the Federals first came down into Dunklin Co., Mo., they found me engaged in the peaceful avocation of a Farmer. Their coming created a good deal of excitement. I was often asked if I intended to stay at home? if I intended to risk the consequences: What I intended to do,? My advice was asked. I responded that it was my intention to stay at home if not driven away. That, I was not afraid of the consequences. That I would quietly attend to my domestic affairs and advised all other to do the same-by so doing I thought we would not be molested, and gave this as my opinion to all who asked my advice.

The first Federals who came down was of the 1^st Wisconsin and 2^nd Illinois Cavalry under the command of Col. Daniels. This Colonel made several speeches in different parts of the County telling the people to stay at home, they should not be molested. This coincident with my own advice and desires.

I did not want to leave my weak and delicate family. I did not want to engage in the war. But I had personal enemies who sought to avenge different and difficulties that visited (?) long before the war, and these enemies were base enough to seek revenge through the military authorities.

They commenced by sending one Capt. Moore 2^nd Illinois Calvary to my house to pillage and plunder one. He came and demanded feed for men and horses. I cheerfully furnished him, thinking it my duty to do so. He then commenced talking very rough to me, asking me if “I had ever taken the oath?” I told him I had not. He asked, me if “I was willing to take the oath?” I replied that I was a peaceful, loyal citizen, that “I had always obeyed the laws of my country. And always expected to do so” that “I did not see the necessity of my taking the oath.” He then said, “If I would not take the oath he would confiscate and destroy my property, and send me a prisoner to St. Louis”. I told him rather than he should do so I would take the oath, but I did not subscribe my oath or receive any certificate.

He then ordered me as guide to Beoun’s Ferry, which I did. We had not gone far when we met the army train on its way to my farm, which the soldiers ransacked, pillaged and plundered without mercy-not even sparing my dwelling and smoke-house, besides insulting my family. While I was acting guide to Captain Moore his abuse, threatening to take me out and lynch me. He said he had lynched a man on the previous Friday. Every scout that came through the neighborhood was induced by the misrepresentations of my enemies to come to my house, to abuse and distress my family. At last I came to the conclusion that I was not safe at home-that my life was in danger,

So I fled and took refuge in the Confederate Army. -, Which I joined August 5^th 1862. Five days afterwards I was promoted to the rank of Captain, in which position I served until the consolidation and reorganization of the Command, which was done during my absences on Sick furlough.

When I returned to the Command, I received the position of 1^st Lieutenant. Co. F, 10^th Missouri, commanded by Col. I G. Kischenz on or about the 1^st of August 1863. I was ordered by Col Kischenz to take command of a scout and proceed to Chuck Bluff on St. Francis River and destroy a bridge & which the Federals had constructed across the river at that place and which they were then guarding.

When I approached they decamped and I crossed over, tore up the bridge & proceeded to execute another order, which was to arrest all the deserters. Collect all the horses and saddles for military purposes to be found in Dunklin Co. and bring them to camp. But before I had fulfilled the order I was taken sick. I was sick about four months my family was all sick at the same time-my wife died and my children separated.

I partially accoresed (Sp?) with a broken constitution, determined to quit the service and had made my arrangements to return to the command to tender my resignation, but owing to delicate health and excessively cold weather (the county being frozen up) I had delayed my departure and while ice bound was arrested by a hith (Sp?) scout of M. S. M Commanded by Perkins, and brought to Cape Girardeau where I arrived January 7, 1864.

The next day I was put in irons-the heaviest shackles ever riveted upon a human being. Then commenced my suffering. There was nauseating, filthy jail, with every bad character from both army and county without a blanket to lay upon or to cover with during the coldest winter ever known to the climate, the windows without shutters, the stove without a door and almost worthless, smoking excessively.

The Soldiers who were prisoners took a delight in abusing and tormenting me. Whenever I would attempt to walk they would run against me or push some one against me, knocking me down, bruising and mangling my ankles and legs with these shackles until they would bleed.

The prisoners were surged (?) on by the Soldiers outside, who would come in frequently to curse and abuse me. At last my ankles got so sore that I took a position in one corner of the Jail and lay down, and never got up only when Nature required it, begging someone to hand my provisions and wait upon me This was always done by some Citizen prisoner.

I was threatened to be mobbed, and was led to believe from many indications that such would be the case. One prisoner was taken out after night and hung.

I endured these sufferings and torments till the 27^th of July 1864, when I became so weak and my health so bad that the shackles were taken off and a ball and chain riveted upon me. Durning these seven months I changed clothes but twice. The shackles being removed whenever I did so. In a few days I was pass to work in the streets of Cape Girardeau.

I remained in this Jail till the 28^th of Sept 1864 when I was brought to Gratiot St. Prison, St. Louis MO, wearing my ball and chain all the time, bringing it here with me. I have now been in prison over Twelve months, and have been in all the time.

John P. Taylor