The Palmyra Massacre

However short this may seem, please do not underestimate the severity of this article. These are facts that will remain true forever, and send forth a blast that shall ring throughout the world. Let the ripples bare truth as to the immorality of man and its greatest flaw, humanity, or lack thereof.

It was a beautiful sunny day. A slight breeze on the horizon. The skies clear and clean on the 18th day of October in 1862. But no matter the weather, the entire earth would become covered in a dark cloud that day. A cloud of unshakeable bonds that would leave it's mark upon the world for all of eternity.

For 10 brave men, this would be the day that their names would be immortalized for all of eternity as they crossed the threshold from this life to the next. This is the day that they would be lined up in front of their coffin and shot to death, for circumstances that occurred not under their control or ability as they had been locked up well before it even happened.

The names*:

Captain Thomas A. Sidenor, Monroe County
Willis T. Baker, Lewis County (I was informed by relatives of the deceased the this may be Willis J. Baker)
Thomas Humston, Lewis County
Morgan Bixler, Lewis County
John Y. McPheeters, Lewis County
Hiram T. Smith, Lewis County
Herbert Hudson, Ralls County
John M. Wade, Ralls County
Marion Lair, Ralls County
Eleazer Lake, Scotland County

The fate of this miserable day was brought on by the disappearance of a man friendly to Unionists occupying the area of Palmyra, Missouri. A man named Andrew Allsman.

Allsman, upon digging into the deepest depths of the events, and the events leading toward it, seems to be one of the few men among any society, that stated the truth, and nothing less than the truth. After being discharged from service under the Union forces for being unable to carry out "active service" continued to harbor the unionists beliefs and values. In essence, Allsman became an informant for the federal authorities.

However, Under the command of Colonel Joseph Porter, Allsman was captured on September 12th, 1862 amidst a raid on Palmyra. Later, after retreating from a skirmish, Col. Porter informed Allsman that he was able to leave as he wish as Col. Porter stated the he would not be able to transport him to Illinois along with members of his forces. In fear of his life, Allsman refused to roam alone. He had feared that among the many present that despised him would surely put him to death.

Under the direction of Col. Porter, 6 soldiers of the were to accompany Allsman to a safe location. Among these 6, 4 were chosen by Allsman himself to ensure his safety.

Along the journey there came a change in guard. It seems that others had followed the Allsman and the guard accompanying him. It is written and sworn to that these were not the orders of Col. Porter. The new guard informed Allsman that he "must die" whereupon they led him into the woods and upon his knees, they shot him from behind.

On Oct 8th, 1862, 3 weeks prior to the death of Andrew Allsman, a notice was written and distributed to Col. Joseph porters wife, Captain Jim Porters wife, and throughout the country. The notice was written as follows:

**To Joseph C. Porter--Sir :--Andrew Allsman, an aged citizen on Palmyra and a non-combatant, having been carried from his home by a band of persons unlawfully arraigned against the peace and good order of the State of Missouri, and which band was under your control, this is to notify you that, unless said Andrew Allsman is returned unharmed to his family within ten days from date, ten me, who have belonged to tour hand, and unlawfully sworn by you to carry arms against the government of the United States, and who are now in custody, will be shot as meet reward for their crimes, amongst which is the illegal restraining of said Allsman of his liberty, and, if not returned, presumptively aiding in his murder. Your prompt attention to this will save much suffering.
                                                                                           Yours, etc.,
                                                                                           W. R. Strachan,
                                                                                           Provost Marshal General, N. E. Dist. Mo.

Some believed this to be an idle threat, others knew it to be fully intended on being carried out. It was written about in local newspapers and it spread throughout the community like a wildfire.

10 days later, true to his word, General John McNeil marched his column and the 10 prisoners to their doom. Not far away, the fair grounds at the time were that site that these brutal killings would take place. They were each lined in front of a coffin which would be their final resting place.

75 men were to be the executioners, the firing squad. Among the first shots, only 3 men were killed. 1 man wasn't even hit. But they we're finally laid down by a party with revolvers. One man taking 7 bullet wounds before he lay to rest.

This is but a brief and quick history of that fateful day. I encourage you to please look further in to this. It is something that should be remembered forever and should not be taken for granted. Learn from mistakes of the past. And respect these men who perished in such a dramatic turn of events.

*Published in The Palmyra Massacre, A True History of the Execution of Ten Confederate Soldiers, Palmyra, MO., Oct. 18th, 1862. Distributed by the Palmyra Confederate Monument Association.  Reprinted through the initiative of the Boots-Dickson Post #174 of the American Legion, Department of Missouri, Inc.

** Copied from The History of Marion County, 1884, Copyright 1979 by Marion County Historical Society, Second Printing.