I52054: Ruth ALDEN (1643

Notes

Asa Ladd was born on November 23rd , 1829 in Wayne County, Missouri. In 1849 he married Amy Gaines. The couple had 7 children, (4 sons and 3 daughters).

Asa Ladd was a farmer by trade, but enlisted in with the Confederacy on May 10, 1861, in Stoddard County, Missouri. He became part of with Jacksons Co A, Burbridge's Regiment, 4th Missouri Confederate Cavalry.

While in service, Asa had two horses for his own use and was armed at all times, though he never took part in any general engagements; only a number of skirmishes. His outfit served under Marmaduke's command and they were with General Price on his infamous raid into Missouri in 1864.

He was captured by the Union army in Sedelia, Mo., on 16 Oct 1864. He was taken to Jefferson City and remained there for eight days, then was sent to Gratiot Street prison in St. Louis on the 25 of Oct 1864. According to his statement, which he made 28 Oct 1864 at the Gratiot Street prison.

When word of the death of Major Wilson reached Union General Rosecrans (who was commander of the Department of Missouri) he was determined to take retaliatory action. Rosecrans ordered that six Confederate prisoners were to be executed.

In carrying out this order, only those prisoners who refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Federal Government were selected. These men were marched into a room where they were ordered to draw lots. A container which held marbles or small balls, of which there were six black ones, was held above eye level so the men could not see the color they were drawing. The ones drawing a white marble were paroled - those drawing a black one were to be executed.

Remember, the Confederates only required an Oath of Neutrality by their prisoners of war.

Asa had been quite adamant in stating that he was a Southern sympathizer and would not take the Oath of Allegiance, consequently, he was among the men selected to draw lots. He was unfortunate in drawing a black marble, and was informed that he was to be shot between the hours of two and four o'clock that afternoon. His five companions in death were:

Jas.W. Gates, Co. "H", Third Missouri Cavalry;
Harvey H. Blackburn, Co. "A", Coleman's Regiment;
John Nichols, Shank's Regiment, Second Missouri Cavalry;
Charles W. Minnikin, Co. "A", Crabtree's Cavalry; George F. Bunch, Co "B",third Missouri Cavalry.

They all died as they had lived - manly courageous, and steadfast. Of the six executed, Asa was the only man that had been baptized. He had requested that Chaplain McKim place his testament which he had carried with him through the was, on his breast in the coffin. Rev. McKim carried out his wishes. His body rests
in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

One can only imagine the feelings and state of mind he must have had when he learned of his fate the next morning. One thing that is certain is that Asa had a strong love for the Lord. He was raised of the Methodist faith; his father pastored the Sadlers Chapel Church in Dexter, Missouri. I have given you the stories of 3 men who lived here in Southeast, Missouri. Three men who wished only to defend their homes, their families and their state from invasion. Three religious men who loved the lord dearly. Two of the three men were Baptist ministers. The third the son of a Methodist minister. I stand before you today and ask you the following questions.

Do these men seem Hurtful, Divisive or Oppressive to you? Do you think slavery was their motivating factor for fighting ? Do you believe that these men were the thugs that the Liberal media and the even more Liberal politicians on both sides of the aisle portray them to be?

And last but not least.

Do these men deserve to be honoured?

We all know that these men did not fight for slavery, but for home and family. We know for the most part they only wished to be left alone, and because they were not, they had to fight. We know that these men and even more so, their families and loved ones were the ones who were oppressed, and who were hurt and who are still treated divisively, by the press, the politicians who wish to vilify them in the name of Political Correctness. And we know that yes, these men should indeed be honoured.

In closing I would like to read to you the last letter that Asa Ladd wrote to his wife Amy:

Dear Wife and Children:

I take my pen with trembling hand to inform you that I will be shot between 2 and 4 o'clock this evening.I have but a few hours to remain in this unfriendly world. There is six of us sentenced to die because of the six Union soldiers that were shot by Reeve's men. My dear wife, don't grieve for me. I want you to meet me in Heaven. I want you to teach the children piety, so that they may meet me at the right hand of God. I can't tell you my feelings but you can form some idea of my feelings when you hear of my fate. I don't want you to let this bear on your mind anymore than you can help, for you are now left to take care of my dear children. Tell them to remember their dear father. I want you to tell my friends that I have gone home to rest. I want you to go to Mr. Connor and tell him to assist you in winding up your business. If he is not there, get Mr Cleveland. If you don't get this letter before St. Francis River gets up, you had better stay there until you can make a crop, and you can go in the dry season. It is now past 4 a.m. I must bring my letter to a close, leaving you in the hands of God. I send you my best love and respects in the hour of death. Kiss all the children for me. You need have no uneasiness about my future state, for my faith is well founded...

Good-by Amy,

Acey Ladd

Asa Ladd, we remember you today, we remember your bravery and honour, and we remember all of Missouri's sons who risked their lives so that Missouri might be a free and sovereign state.

God Bless the South and All Who love and defend her.

Clint E. Lacy
Pilot Knob , Missouri
June 5th, 2004

Sources for this speech were found at the following URL addresses on the
internet:
http://www.rosecity.net/cherokee/north_south.html
http://www.no-quarter.net/images/reeves.htm
http://bjsbytes.com/pratt.htm
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~ladd/asa.htm

areas in quotation marks were taken from these sources.

Show Me South!
Defending Freedom and Southern Heritage in Missouri and the South.
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My Southern Family

Ruth ALDEN

1643 - 1674

ID Number: I52054

Sources

George Theophias BLOUNT

ABT 1890 - ____

ID Number: I19613

Notes

Sources

James BRENT

20 Mar 1772 - ____

ID Number: I69962

Sources

Asa Valentine LADD C.S.A.

23 Nov 1829 - 29 Oct 1864

ID Number: I98487

Notes

Sources

Ernest Edward LANE

1899 - 1986

ID Number: I6064

Sources

Louisa MINOR

1787 - ____

ID Number: I44817

Sources

Corey Michael ROBINSON

Martha RUCKER

ABT 1760 - ____

ID Number: I61337

Sources

Martha TANNER

ABT 1663 - 1729

ID Number: I36133

Notes

Sources