Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 08.djvu/437

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einor of Missouri, 1853-57 ; state bank commis- sioner, 1857-61, and president of the conservative state convention that met March 4, 1861, and strenuously opposed secession. The capture of Camp Jackson by Captain Lyon caused Price to give his support to Governor Jackson, who ap- pointed him major-geiieral of the Missouri state guard, May 18, 1861, the state authorities having decided to resist the Federal troops, and in the en- gagement between Governor Jackson and General Lyon at Boone ville, June 17, 1861, the state militia was defeated and dispersed. General Price had meantime gathered 7000 men, mostly unarmed, at Carthage, Mo., and in three weeks liad them armed and disciplined. Here he was joined by Gen. Ben McCulloch and Gen. N. B. Pearce with Confederate troops and Arkansas militia, and with General McCulloch as com- mander-in-chief, defeated the Federals under Lyon and Sigel at Wilson's Creek, within ten miles of Springfield, Mo., Aug. 10, 1861, where General Lyon was killed. General Price ad- vanced to Springfield, sending Gen. J. S. Rains to clear the western counties of Federal maraud- ing bands ; captured Lexington and 3500 men under Colonel Mulligan, with 300 stands of small arms and immense stores, Sept. 21, 1861, and went into winter quarters at Springfield, whence he was driven into Arkansas by Gen. S. R. Curtis, Feb. 12, 1862. He was commissioned major-gen- eral, March 6, 1862; joined Gen. Earl Van Dorn's army, and had command of nine divisions made up of I\Iissouri state guard and volunteer troops. After the battle at Pea Ridge (Elkhorn), Ark., March 7, 1862, where he was again wounded, narrowly escaping death, he was assigned the same month to the command of the Army of the West. He was ordered to reinforce Beauregard at Corinth in April, and after Beauregard with- drew from the field of Shiloh, April 7, 1862, Price with his army was ordered to Memphis, but at once proceeded to Corinth to join the army under Beauregard, where Bragg, Van Dorn, Polk, Har- dee and Breckinridge had their respective forces. They determined on May 30th to evacuate Corinth and make a stand at Tupelo, and after Bragg had assumed command Price was ordered to march north. He took possession of luka. Miss., Sept. 11, 1862, his plan being to draw the Federal troops from Corinth and enable Van Dorn to capture it. His Army of the West was attacked by Rosecrans at luka, Sept. 19, 1862, and de- feated, after which he joined Van Dorn in an attack on Corinth, which movement resulted in a disastrous defeat, Oct. 2-4, 1862. He was at- tached to the Department of East Mississippi and Louisiana under Gen. John C. Pemberton during the winter of 1862-63 ; on Feb. 7, 1863, was sent to report to Gen. E. Kirby Smith, who had re-

lieved Gen. T. H. Holmes, and was assigned to the command of Hindman's division at Little Rock, Ark., April 1, 1863. He was ordered to move upon Helena, and on July 4th succeeded in capturing Graveyard Hill. On July 25th, Holmes liaving been obliged to fall back to the White River, too ill to continue the campaign, Price suc- ceeded to the command of the District of Arkan- sas and concentrated his force of 7749 men for the defence of Little Rock, which place he began to fortify. He was driven from Little Rock, Sept. 10, 1863, by Gen. Frederick Steele, but he re- treated undisturbed to Arkadelphia, and on Sept. 25, Holmes resuming command. Price was given command of the district of Arkansas south of Camden. On April 26, 1864, he assumed full command of the Arkansas and Missouri divisions ; fought the battle of Jenkins's Ferry, April 30, 1864, and was driven back, after which he organ- ized his force for an expedition into Missouri, which he led in person, making St. Louis his ob- jective point. He attacked Pilot Knob, Sept. 27, 1864, and successfully drove the Federal army under Ewing within the fortifications of St. Louis, but he was repulsed by Gen. A. J. Smith and changed his line of march toward Jefferson City, the state capital, followed by the Federal forces from St. Louis. This opposition deter- mined him to abandon his purpose and march into Kansas. En route he conscripted all able- bodied men, largely augmenting liis force ; fought a successful battle with Blunt at Lexington. Mo., Oct. 21, 1864, but was routed by Pleasonton's cavalry on the 22d, east of Independence, and on the 23d made a stand near Westport, where, after maintaining his ground all day, he was compelled to fall back at night and retreated along the state line southward. At Mine Creek, Linn county, Kansas, he formed another line of battle on the 25th, when the Federal cavalry broke his line, capturing Generals Marmaduke and Cahill and most of his artillery. He made another stand at Newtonia on the 28th, where he gave a stubborn fight, but was finally forced to fall back and crossed the Arkansas river above Fort Smith. General Price reported: "I have marched 1434 miles, fouglit 43 battles and skir- mishes, captured and paroled over 3000 Federal officers and men, captured 18 pieces of artillery, 3000 stands of arms and 16 colors .... and des- troyed property to the cost of $10,000,000 ; with a loss of 10 pieces of artillery and 1000 small arms. I do not think I lost 1000 prisoners .... I brought with me 5000 recruits." In 1865 he settled in Cordoba, Mexico, intending to form a colonv- of Southern emigrants, but his plan not meeting with favor, he retired to St. Louis, where he engaged in the commission business. He died in St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 29, 1867,