Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 9.djvu/498

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CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.
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counter with A. J. Smith at Lake Village. With Sterling Price on the great Missouri raid of 1864, he commanded one of the three columns of division and was greatly distinguished. At the battle of Little Blue, October a 1st, two horses were killed under him while he was endeavoring to stem the onset of the enemy's forces which from this point forced Price to make a retreat. He was in fierce battle on the 2 2d, 23d and on the 25th, at Marais des Cygnes, was overwhelmed while guarding the rear, and made prisoner. He was carried to Fort Warren, and there held until August, 1865. After his release he took a journey to Europe for his health. In May, 1866, he returned to Missouri and engaged in the commission business until 1869, when he became superintendent of Southern agencies for an insurance company. He was editor of various Missouri papers, 1871-74; in 1874 secretary of the State board of agriculture, and from 1875 to 1880 a member of the railroad commission of Missouri From 1885 to 1887 he held the honored position of governor of the State. He died at Jefferson City, December 28, 1887.

Brigadier-General Mosby Monroe Parsons was born in Virginia in 1819. Early in life he removed to Cole county, Mo., where he studied law and began its practice. From 1853 to 1857 he was attorney-general of Missouri and subsequently was honored by his constituents with a seat in the State senate. When war was declared against Mexico, he became a captain in the army of the United States and served with considerable reputation. He was in the invading force that entered California, and received honorable mention for services at Sacramento. After the close of the war he returned to his home and resumed his practice. When the war between the Northern and Southern States of the great Republic commenced, his whole sympathy was with the South. In company with Gov. Claiborne F. Jackson he tried to ally Missouri with the Confederate States. He was exceedingly