Book Update
In 2010 I published a book of letters sent to a soldier from Missouri during the American Civil War. Letters written in 1862 and 1863. When I updated that book in 2012, there were still some unresolved issues. Since then, one of those issues has been resolved.
We know from the letters that Millie Barton had a baby in October 1862 and named her Annie Barton. We know that her husband refused to have anything to do with the baby, and objected to her being named a Barton. He wanted the baby put “out of the way.” He asked his mother to adopt the baby. I speculated that Millie must have had some kind of illicit affair.
We know now that nine months before the baby was born Millie’s village was occupied by a Confederate army under Alvin Cobb. This according to a letter I found in the files of the provost marshal. The Bartons were known to be Union sympathizers, so it is probable that the baby was a product of rape by a Confederate soldier. This explains the strange reaction of Millie’s husband.
So Millie renamed her baby Annie Price. Why Price? There was no one in the area by that name, according to the 1860 census. The rapist—or more likely the rapists—did not leave their calling cards, so Millie named her baby after the only Confederate soldier whose name she knew: General Sterling Price, who was terrorizing Missouri in those days.
Before the baby was one year old Millie’s husband was dead, so Millie was free to cover up the scandal by renaming her child Annie Barton and bringing her up as a child from a legitimate family. The child never knew the circumstances of her birth.
And now, dear readers, you are up to date on “Bushwhackers and Broken Hearts.”
We know from the letters that Millie Barton had a baby in October 1862 and named her Annie Barton. We know that her husband refused to have anything to do with the baby, and objected to her being named a Barton. He wanted the baby put “out of the way.” He asked his mother to adopt the baby. I speculated that Millie must have had some kind of illicit affair.
We know now that nine months before the baby was born Millie’s village was occupied by a Confederate army under Alvin Cobb. This according to a letter I found in the files of the provost marshal. The Bartons were known to be Union sympathizers, so it is probable that the baby was a product of rape by a Confederate soldier. This explains the strange reaction of Millie’s husband.
So Millie renamed her baby Annie Price. Why Price? There was no one in the area by that name, according to the 1860 census. The rapist—or more likely the rapists—did not leave their calling cards, so Millie named her baby after the only Confederate soldier whose name she knew: General Sterling Price, who was terrorizing Missouri in those days.
Before the baby was one year old Millie’s husband was dead, so Millie was free to cover up the scandal by renaming her child Annie Barton and bringing her up as a child from a legitimate family. The child never knew the circumstances of her birth.
And now, dear readers, you are up to date on “Bushwhackers and Broken Hearts.”
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Theresa
(new)
Oct 01, 2018 01:45PM
I enjoyed Bushwackers & Broken Hearts and thanks for the update! Thank you for researching and writing it. I am a direct descendant of Lucinda and Northrop so finding this book was wonderful - bought my dad a copy also.
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Thank you. I am delighted to hear from you. I am a direct descendant of Lucinda's brother Daniel. Have you seen the complaint Lucinda filed with the local militia in October 1864? About the nocturnal visit she had from Confederate bushwhackers.
I have not other than what you mentioned in the book. I need to figure out how to delve into family history and where to look for records and information. I love learning about our family.
Head quartersWellsville, Mo.
October 28th, 1864
Mrs. Lucinda Hyde, a resident of Montgomery County, Missouri, aged 26 years, being sworn, says on her oath that, on or about the 21st of September last, three men came to our house, two of them armed. One of them came in the house. They asked at first for something to eat for seven or eight men and their horses. They then went to the well and got a drink.
Mr. Healy came in and asked my mother-in-law if she could get them some supper. She said she was sick and could not, that he must do the best he could. They then said they did not want any supper, have you got any money? It is money we want, and ordered Mr. Healy to make a light. He made the light and then they commenced searching. Searched the barn first, and all that was on top of it.
During this time I got up and dressed myself. Then they commenced searching my mother-in-law's bed. They was not satisfied and made her get up. They then searched her bed and mine too. They then demanded our pocket books. My mother-in-law got hers first. I told them where mine was and they ordered me to go with them in the kitchen. It was in the trunk. I went and got the pocket book and gave it to them. They made me take everything out of the trunk that was in it. He then asked me if my husband never sent me any money. I told them he did, enough to get my clothes with. He then asked me where the money was my mother-in-law had received on the last payment for her land a few days ago. I told them she had not sold any land a few days ago. That it was four years since and she had loaned the money out.
He then asked me if I did not know there was a company of them stationed a mile and a quarter from there. I told them I did not. He then requested me not to say anything about their coming there. If I did I might fare worse if some of the rest of the company should come around. He said it was not likely I should be troubled any more and bid me good evening and left.
The man that marched with my trunk was a tall, slim man, had on a black coat and a broad-brimmed black hat. He had a heavy mustache, which I took to be false. He had hazel eyes. They were not very dark nor very big. He showed a good----of them. He seemed to be fair-skinned.
Signed:
Lucinda C. Hyde
Sworn to and subscribed to before me this 28th day of October 1864,
C. H. Canfield
Colonel, Company ---?, 67th Regiment
E.M.M. [Enrolled Missouri Militia]
"Mr. Healy" was a neighbor being held hostage by two armed bushwhackers. Lucinda's husband was in Iron County with the Union army, trying to stop Sterling Price's raid.Lucinda waited more than five weeks before reporting this incident to the authorities. I wonder if she was afraid to report it until she heard that "Bloody Bill" Anderson was dead. He was killed on 26 October 1864. Earlier that month he had sacked Danville, where Millie Barton lived.
In my book I speculate on the death by drowning of John M. Barton Jr., whether it was an accident or a suicide. Unfortunately, we will never know for sure. We know from military records that he was chronically ill and debilitated. We know that he had serious family issues—his wife had birthed a child that he wanted nothing to do with. We know that the war was going badly for the Union. And he must have known that Vicksburg was about to fall, to be followed by a rebel attack on Helena, where he was based. His prospects were dire, even desperate. On the other hand, we know that his commander had ordered his men to bathe in the river, and we know that the Mississippi River can be treacherous.
As it happened, Vicksburg did indeed fall a few weeks after his death, and Confederates did immediately attack Helena, hoping to regain control of the river. I think his death was probably accidental, but who can know?
