PRICE
PRICE
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,
