Synopsis of Cyrus' military service records

The 59th Illinois Volunteers

1861 Enlisted at Hazel Dell
Sep 13 Entered service at St. Louis, Mo.
Sep + Oct Present. Appointed Corporal
Nov + Dec Present
1862 Jan + Feb Present
Mar + Apr Detailed at West Plaines, Mo.
May + June Detailed at West Plaines, Mo.
July + Aug Detailed at West Plaines, Mo.
Aug Detached at West Plaines
Sep 11 Died on U.S. Ram Fleet off of Helena, Arkansas


The following excerpts are from the following book:
Lathrop, D., Dr., History of the 59th Illinois Volunteers. Hall &
Hutchinson, Printers and Binders, Indianapolis, IND, 1865.

September, 1862:

The Fifty Ninth Illinois Regiment entered the service of the United States,
on the 6th day of September, 1861, under the cognomen of Ninth Missouri, at
St. Louis, in that state. At that time the State of Illinois had filled her
quota of volunteers, and would not receive the services of the patriotic
young men who had collected themselves together for the purpose of
preserving the glorious Union, then in danger of being severed. [pg. 9]
The call of the President for seventy-five thousand volunteers, as well as
that for forty-two thousand, had been so speedily filled by men whose
business, permitted to enter the service without much sacrifice on their
part, excluded, for the time being, these noble men from entering the
service in the name of their own State. Although disappointed, they were
still determined to devote their services to their country in some useful
field of labor. Missouri was the most convenient and available State for
this purpose, and was willing to accept of their aid, and hence the
companies were organized into the Ninth Regiment of Missouri Volunteers, on
the 6th of September, 1861. [pgs. 9-10]

[Note: Cyrus joined the 59th Illinois regiment at St. Louis, Mo. on 13
September and was given the rank of Corporal]

General Fremont was in command of the department of Missouri, and as soon as
the regiment was fully equipped, he ordered that it should report to General
Pope, at Jefferson City, Mo. In the best of spirits, the men left the old
barracks and marched to the river for embarkation. The old and rickety
steamer War Eagle lay in waiting, with steam up, to receive them. A very
pleasant and lively time was passed in going up, and on their arrival at
Jefferson City, a pretty camping ground received them, to await further
orders. Here the regiment lay in camp until the 30th of September, when
they were again embarked for farther up the river. [pg. 10]
At Jefferson City the regiment was joined by a pioneer company of
ninety-seven men, and by a squad of twenty men recruited by Captain Kelly,
of company F, who fell into ranks as the regiment was re-embarking on the
same old War Eagle, for "up the river." [pg 10]
The embarkation of a regiment, was, at that early day of the war, an
exciting scene. Never before had such scenes been witnessed by the citizens
of our inland river towns, nor had the men of the regiment ever before
exhibited themselves to the gaze of the population in such a display as they
now did. The regiment was first marched in column down to the wharf, and
ordered to stack arms. The quarters of each soldier consisted of just room
enough to stand, or sit upon his knapsack on the floor, selected somewhere
within the region of his own company. The regiment as it is marched to the
landing, to the time of the fife and drum, attracted the notice of the whole
city. Its appearance was really captivating. The uniform being all new and
unsoiled, and consisting of a closely fitting jacket of fine gray cloth, and
pants of the same material, looked exceedingly neat and pleasing to the eye,
and their knapsacks, cartridge boxes and guns, all new, and glistering in
the sunshine, caused a sensation indescribable. No regiment has ever
entered the service with more éclat than the Ninth Missouri. The men,
wagons, horses and mules, all being huddled indiscriminately on board, the
bell rang, and the old boat steamed up the turbid Missouri. During the
night, the boat rounded to at Boonville, Mo., and the regiment went into
camp here for fourteen days, for the purpose of collecting supplies and
fitting up for a camping into the interior. [pgs. 10-11]
Orders finally came to march, and on the morning of the 12th of October,
all was hurry and confusion in preparation for the start. Tents were to be
struck and the wagons loaded. Knapsacks were to be packed and comfortably
fitted to the back; haversacks to be filled with plenty of rations; wild
mules to be caught from the corral and hitched to the wagons; and last,
though not least, pretty apple girls and wash women to be settled with
before leaving. All was accomplished in due time, and about noon, the
brigade moved out. [pg 14]
Three regiments composed the brigade: the Ninth Missouri, the Fifth Iowa
and the Thirty-seventh Illinois-three as good regiments as ever shouldered a
musket. Colonel Kelton was in command of the brigade. [pg 14]
The brigade marched a few miles from town and bivouacked for the night. On
the 13th and 14th it marched about twenty-eight miles, and went into camp
near Syracuse. [pg. 19]
The regiment lay in camp here on the 15th, and on the morning of the 16th,
struck tents and took up the line of march for the rebel army. Price
[General Price, commander of the Confederate forces in Missouri] is reported
to be about seventy-five miles to the south-west, erecting fortifications.
[pg. 19]
From the 16th to the 23rd of October, the regiment continued its line of
march daily. It moved in a south-western direction, crossing the pacific
railroad at Otterville.
Otterville is a small town on the railroad, near the right bank of the
Lamoine river. It numbers from three to five hundred inhabitants, most of
whom are very indifferent to the Union cause. [pg 20]
The brigade passes through Otterville without stopping, and none but a few
stragglers have any thing to say to the citizens, either to aggravate or
soothe them. The direction taken is towards Warsaw, on the Osage river,
where it is rumored, Price is entrenching. [pgs 20-21]
The routine of a campaign is now fully commenced. Reveille is sounded at
five o'clock in the morning-all hands must then turn out to roll
call-breakfast is cooked, and at seven the bugle sounds to fall in for the
march. Two hours steady march follows, and then a rest of ten minutes, and
thus until twelve or fifteen miles is passed over, when, if wood and water
is convenient, camp is selected, tents are pitched, supper is provided,
retreat is sounded, and all becomes quiet for the night. Thus it was with
the Ninth, until their arrival at Warsaw. There is nothing to enliven the
monotony of the march but the lively jokes and sallies of wit of the boys,
and the change of scenery through which they pass. [pg 21]
The distance from Otterville to Warsaw, by the roads the regiment moved, is
perhaps seventy miles, and the face of the country is considerably
variegated. For the most part it is a level, unbroken region until you
approach the bluffs of the Osage. The land is however rolling and enough
diversified with hills and elevated peaks, to make it interesting to the
traveler. [pg 21]
On the 23d of October, the regiment went into camp two miles north of
Warsaw, to await the construction of a military bridge across the Osage
river. The Osage at this point is about three hundred yards wide, with
abrupt high banks and a deep swift current, so that it is impossible to
cross an army in any other way than by means of a strong substantial bridge
[pg. 21]
On the arrival of the division, as many "sappers and miners' and laborers as
cold be profitably employed, were set to work, and in forty-eight hours the
bridge was ready for crossing. It was a very rude structure, but answered
every purpose. [pg. 22]
On the morning of the 25th of October, the troops commenced crossing the
river, and about 11 o'clock, A.M., the Ninth Missouri landed on the opposite
shore, and halted an hour for dinner, and for stragglers to come up from
Warsaw. [pg 24]
At 1 o'clock, the bugal sounded, and the line of march was again taken up
and continued until the 30th when the army went into camp for a day or two
at Humansville. The direction from Warsaw to Humansville, is southward, and
the fear of the men now was that the rebels were making for Arkansas. [pg
24]
The country from the Osage to this point is poor, broken, and rocky. It
seems as though nature intended this as the stone quarry for the universe.
Her is stone enough to supply the United States with building material for
centuries. The roads wee all stone, the hills are solid rock, and the
fields are stone. There is very little tillable land south of the Osage,
until within the vicinity of Humansville. There are a few farms, and
occasionally a small town, but they are for the most part deserted. [pg 25]
On the 30th of October, the Brigade went into camp, near Humansville.
Humansville is a small town in Hickory County, Mo., and is the only place
where any demonstrations wee made, in honor of the stars and stripes,
between Boonville and Springfield. [pg 27]
When going into camp it was thought that, perhaps, several days would be
spent here, to allow the men some rest and to ascertain the distance to, and
the position of the enemy; but about noon of the 31st, orders came to be
ready to march at a moments notice. [pgs. 27-28]
At 4 o'clock orders were received to strike tents and move out. An hour was
now spent in busy preparation for the march. No one had thought that there
would be a move before morning, and all were taken by surprise at the order
to march just as night was setting in. [pg 28]
At 6 o'clock, the bugle sounded to fall in, and the first night march of the
regiment, now commenced. Camp was one and a half miles west of Humansville,
and to get to the main road to Springfield, the regiment had to retrace its
march back through the town. [pg 29]
The moon had not yet made its appearance, and the evening was quite dark.
Several of the boys in going over the rough roads, fell and crippled
themselves so as to be unable to proceed. The large stones which composed
the road, would sometimes form steps of six inches in hight, and in
stepping, they would fall forward with serious results. The moon now makes
her appearance, bright and fair, and the road becomes distinct so that
marching becomes easy, and much more rapid progress is made. The march
continued till near morning, when the troops bivouacked for a few hours
rest.
The bugle again sounds, and the march is continued. At 12 o'clock, a halt
is again called, and an order is brought round to lighten baggage. All
extra, useless and heavy baggage is ordered to be left, under guard, until
brought forward by the wagon train. This is indicative of a forced march,
or a going into battle. The latter is not probable, as no enemy is reported
near. At 2 o'clock, the regiment moved out in light equipment. [pgs 29-30]
On the morning of the 5th [of November], the Ninth Missouri found itself
camped on the out skirts of a large army. Fremont [Union commander] had
arrived with the greater portion of his army several days before, and driven
Price from Springfield, and was now awaiting for the balance of his forces
to come up. The Ninth had marched, in the last two days and nights, over
fifty miles, to be in time for the anticipated advance, and they were now
rejoiced that they had arrived in due season. [pgs 30-31]
On the 29th of October, General Fremont established his head-quarters at
Springfield. From Boonville to Springfield he had invariably marched with
the advance of his army. On the 30th, General Ashboth brought up his
division, and General Lane, on the same day, appeared with his brigade of
Kansas border men, and two hundred mounted Indians and negroes. An on the
2d and 3d of November, General Pope brought up the rear with his command, of
which the Ninth Missouri formed a part. [pg 36]
On the morning of the 5th [of November] the regiment moved quarters to
within a mile of town, and pitched their tents in regular camp order. The
whole country for miles around Springfield was now filled with tents, and
soldiers were as thick as ants on an ant hill. The whole army of Fremont
was now here, and was said to number seventy-two thoushand-or, there was
said to be seventy-two thousand rations issued. [pg 38]

The following is the transcript of a Letter from Cyrus Lathrop to his
family:

October the 29, 1861

Camp near tatamis store this morning we continued our march towards the
south we started at 8 o'clock a.m. and marched 15 miles and encamped at the
camp near stamp run the rode was hilly and rocky but the day was cool and
fine the first division marched in frunt the artilery next and the second
division in beds covered by fore pieces of artilery we are all bisy cooking
for tomorrows march.

October the 30

tatos beat at fore clock breakfast at 5 and the division marched at 7 with
the left in frunt and the artilery followed the division close in rear the
frunt guarded by fore pieses of twelve pounders in this line of battle the
division marched on till they rideled the town of humansville where they
halted for a fue minutes then they marched thru the town and encamped about
2 oclock a.m. It
would have been proper to have stated that we are in porter county Mo.

November the 6 (Pg 31)

the orders was to prepare for a foree march imediatly with 2 days ratiens to
be carried in our laver sacks so we sent to preparig for the march at 2
oclock at night we started towards springfield we marched till 4 oclock in
the morning then laid down for a fue minutes then we was ordered to leave or
napsack we left them to be hauled in wagons and rushed ahead expecting to
fight enemy our this we marched in double quick time for fifty miles to
springfield where we now lay we marched day and night for six days with but
2 hours sleep each night and that with out tents we left the tents likened
to be brought on as soon as possible for the train could not keep up with
the army the march was very hard I never was so tired in my life the rode
was up and down mountains all the way from humansville to sprinfield there
is about 7900 thousand soldiers here the enemy has about 60300 thousand near
hear their will be on hundred and thirty thousand troops ingaged here if
they come together the enemy has fell back to the old battle ground where
them kild general lyons they are said to be fortying their when the advance
of out army entered springfield the enemy gave them battle they fought for a
half our when the enemy retreted leaving there dead on the field they
retreated to the main army on the old battle ground of wilson crick where
they will fight us cindicy I have not herd from you yet direct yore letters
to st louis drsnell Mo 9 regt missouri misouried volenterrs

I am Well
Cyrus Lathrop
to Cindiey Lathrop
Zachry Lathrop
Marion Lathrop
Safrony Sathrop



On the morning of the 9th of November . . . the Ninth Missouri Volunteers
took up the line of march. [pg 46]
The regiment followed its old line of march, until after crossing the Osage,
when it took the most direct road to Otterville. From Otterville it
continued down the railroad to Syracuse, where it arrive on the 17th of
November, having marched from Springfield in eight days, without rest. In
its devious course from Boonville to Springfield, and from Springfield to
Syracuse, the regiment had marched over three hundred miles. [pg 46]
On arriving at Syracuse, it bivouacked on a common in town, in anticipation
of taking the cars in a day or two for St. Louis. Rumor had it that the
troops were all going to St. Louis, either to go into winter quarters or to
be sent South. No one though of wintering at Syracuse. [pg 47]
There was no enemy within one hundred and fifty miles of this place, and a
necessity for stopping here did not exist. Yet, in this vicinity were they
destined to lay in idleness for three long months. [pg 47]
On the morning of the 18th the regiment was moved out two miles from town,
and went into regular camp. [pg 49]
About the 10th of December the regiment broke camp here and moved out to the
bottoms of the Lamoine river. The object of the move was the erection of
fortifications for the defense of the railroad bridge across the Lamoine.
Their camp was slected on some swamp-bottom lands on the left bank of the
river. The boys were immediately set to work cutting the trees and cleaning
off the grounds, while details were sent off to work on the fortifications
on the opposite bank of the river. [pg 51]

The following is a transcript of a letter from Cyrus Lathrop to his family.

Camp lamean December the 11 the year of the lord 1862

Dear Wife it tis with pleasure that I right to you to let you know that I am
well at present and hope that this will find you on the same blessing I
right to you this evening to let you no that I received youre letter last
night dated the 5th and was glad to hear that you was well I was very sorry
to hear that you are so dissatisfied you say that I am needed at home so bad
to see to the
boys I want to no if there is anything peticuler the mater with them right
and let me know you say that money has not come yet I am afraid that it is
lost. But if is I can't help it for sent it on the 16 of December nearly a
month ago but it may come yet I will send some more as soon as we We are
looking for the Every day then i will send you 15 pr 10 dollars i will
try to send it by some one that is going home if that gets there that i have
sent then i will send for by mail cindicy i would like to see you very much but i
can't see you for it is very hard to get leave to come home but i have the pranice
of geting a pass to come home me set spring whether i gottin it or not there
is great talk of england and france helping the south if they go i have but
little faith of this were coming to a close for several years fi they do
their will be great blood shed such as never been seen in the world i am to
frade that these that these united states has seen their best days nothing
but the over ruling fear of god will save them from ruin i am going to
extend by the flag of my county and if that star spangle baner seases to
wave shall sease to live at wave sease to wave but I will die im trying to
keep them uip if england does set in i don't know when i will get home for
i expect that tem they will need every man at his post and my dear wife I
hopt that we will see each other some time before we die but dear wife if we
See each other hear on earth I hope we will meat again in heaven where
parting is no more but where we shall strike glad On that suny banks of
deliverence where we will be forever blessed I am determined to meet you
their my dear wife i still think that i will get tp see you and the children
tell that sweet little girl that i would like to see mighty well Marian I
have not forgot you I remember them rosey sheeks of youres them large baling
eyes of often causes me to reflect on days past. Zachry Taylor don't think
that I have for got you for I often think of you I often think that I would
like to be at home with you but remember dear son that our contry to being
run over with rebels and tarces and your father is On the service of our
country and I want you to bee good boys and help you mother she says that
she is troubled so much it is not worth while for meeta right any more I
lack words to esepres my feeling to you the troubles of my country and the
thought of a wife and four children that is I have left at home give my respects to all so no more at this time but remain your friend till death.

Good by wife and children for this time
Cyrus Lathrop to cindiey and children


On the morning of the 14th marching orders were issued for the next day, and
on the 15th, through a heavy snow storm, they marched to Sedalia,
twenty-five miles distant. The roads were bad, and the marching very heavy,
yet most of the men came into camp with the regiment. They were marched out
for the purpose of cutting off recruits and a large supply train going to
Price's army. When they arrived at Sedalia the work was being accomplished
by another portion of the Division. A part of Davis' Division had taken
another route, and had succeeded in overtaking and capturing some seventy
wagons and one thousand one hundred prisoners, among whom was the son of the
old General. The Ninth Missouri consequently had nothing to do but march
back to its camp on the Lamoine. This it was two days in accomplishing.
Thus marching fifty miles in three days. Thus making in all, since leaving
Boonville, fully four hundred miles. Here the regiment remained until the
25th of January, 1862. [pg 51]
Orders were received by the regiment, on the morning of the 23d, to be ready
to march at 8 o'clock, on the morning of the 25th, with three days rations
in the haversack of each soldier. [pg 57]
The morning of the 25th of January, 1862, made its appearance, clear and
cold, and found the regiment in marching trim. Some of the boys would have
preferred waiting a day or two, as they were expecting a large supply of
good things, from home. Some companies had failed to receive theirs, and
were looking for them by every train. Letters had informed them of their
being on the way, and the boys were starving to have them arrive; but there
was no help for it, they must march and leave their 'goodies' for some one
else to devour. It was too bad to so disappoint the kind of good friends at
home, and still worse to be so disappointed themselves. There was no use
for lamentations. At 8 o'clock the bugle sounded to fall in, and the troops
moved out. The direction taken, was down the railroad, towards Syracuse;
but for the night, Syracuse was left in the rear, and Tipton, a small down
six miles farther east, was the approach. Here the regiment went into camp
for the night. Early the next morning, the regiment crossed the railroad,
and moved in a southerly direction, leaving all hopes of going to St. Louis,
at Tipton. [pgs 57-58]
The march was now continued through a very wild and broken region of
country, with very bad roads and stormy weather, until the 2d day of
February, when the Osage river was again to be crossed. [pg 58]
The regiment went into camp, on the left bank of the Osage, on the afternoon
of the 2d, during a heavy snow storm. The weather had been stormy, ever
since leaving Syracuse, and here it culminated in a cold driving snow storm
[pgs 58-59]
On the 6th, the line of march was taken up, and continued towards Lebanon,
where the regiment arrived on the evening of the 7th. These were two days
heavy marching, making fourteen miles on the 6th and sixteen miles on the
7th, on very hilly and muddy roads. It is called seventy-five miles from
here to Syracuse; but in coming, the regiment had marched some days twelve
miles, and were at night, only five miles from the place of starting. Thus
making at least eight-five miles in ten days marching, through the most
inclement weather, and over the worst possible roads. [pgs 60-61]
The regiment went into camp, a few miles west of Lebanon, and lay by on the
8th and 9th, to await the arrival of more troops. [pg 61]
On the morning of the 10th, the army was again on the move, the Ninth
Missouri bringing up the rear of Jeff. C. Davis' division. The roads were
very bad, but the weather was favorable, and the country more level than
from Syracuse here. The sick and much extra baggage was left at Lebanon, to
be brought up at a more convenient season. [pg 63]

[Note: Here is a lengthy description of several small skirmishes]

After laying in camp two days on Sugar Creek [near Arkansas], resting from
the wearisome march it had undergone since leaving Springfield, the regiment
again moved out in the pursuit. After making somewhat of a circuitous rout
by the Osage Springs, it arrived in the neighborhood of Cross Hollows, and
went into camp, on the 22nd day of February-lacking three days of being one
month since leaving Syracuse, Mo. During that time, it had marched over two
hundred and fifty miles. [pg 80]
On the 21st [of February, 1862] . . . the news came to camp, that the Ninth
Regiment of Missouri Volunteers was no longer a Missouri Regiment, but was
now numbered among the honored regiments of its own State, and was hereafter
to be known as the Fifty-Ninth Illinois Regiment. The news was received
with acclamations of hearty satisfaction. Colonel Julius White, who now
commanded the brigade, read the dispatch announcing the fact, and the Major
of the regiment, P. Sidney Post, made some few well chosen and
congratulatory remarks, which were received with three hearty cheers. Three
cheers for Colonel White; three for Colonel C. H. Frederick, and three times
for the State of Illinois. [pgs 83-84]
The morning of the 7th of March broke clear and pleasant over the hills and
valley of Sugar Creek and Cross Timbers . . . Little did they realize that
this bright morning was the harbinger of such a bloody sun-set as closed
this day, over the battle-ground of Pea Ridge. [pg 91]

[Note: Here is a very lengthy description of the battle of Pea Ridge in
Arkansas]

Companies Ka and F suffered more in killed and wounded than any other two
companies, from their being in a more exposed position, on the left of the
regiment. [pg 93]
On the afternoon of the 10th [of March], the regiment moved with the
division, a few miles south of Leetown. [pg 103]
On the 6th of April the Fifty-Ninth, with the balance of the Division,
arrived at Cassville, en route for Forsyth, which is sixty miles east of
here. [pg 110]
The evening of the 8th found the regiment encamped at a place called "Cape
Fair," in Stone county, Missouri. [pg 112]
The march was continued the next morning, and the evening of the 10th
witnessed the camping of the army on the east bank of the Big Bear River,
forty-eight miles from Cassville. [pg 115]
On the morning of the 16th of April, the regiment broke camp on the Bear
River, re-crossed it, and filed off up its western bank, until it came to
Bull Run, then up Bull Run fifteen miles, to Bull's Mills, when it again
went into camp. [pg 118]
The Division broke up camp again on the 20th, and moved out in the rain and
over the muddiest roads imaginable. They marched this day twenty miles
without anything to eat from the time of starting, until going into camp,
and many of the boys had no supper the night before. [pg 119]
At West Plains, some fifty of the Fifty-Ninth, were detached to report under
Captain Elliott, to the gun-boat fleet, then laying at Cairo, for duty.
They lef the regiment about the 25th of April, from which time, they spent
the remainder of their term of service on the water. From West Plains, the
regiment proceeded to Sulpher Rock, arriving there on the 8th of May.

[Note: Cyrus Lathrop was one of the fifty detached for service to the
gun-boat fleet, also known as the U.S. Ram Fleet. Cyrus was assigned as a
sharpshooter aboard the U.S.S. Lioness]

The following are excerpts from the "History of the U.S. Ram Fleet and the
Mississippi Marine Brigade" that describes the Union capture of the city of
Memphis after the Confederate forces abandoned the city.

The LIONESS being half a mile in the lead . . . pushed for the scene of
action with all possible speed, arriving too late to participate in the
fight, but was as the event proved, just in time to serve the purpose of the
Commander in the next act of the drama. As the LIONESS came in view of the
scene above described, she was signaled alongside the QUEEN, where was the
gallant Ellet [the fleet commander], seriously wounded by a shot in the
knee, but intent upon sending a flag of truce, with a demand, which he had
already prepared for the surrender of the city of Memphis. Having no
subordinate military officer on board, he had no doubt intended to send the
demand by the hand of his so, Charles Rivers Ellet, by means of a yawl, but
the timely arrival of the LIONESS, afforded the needed means, and Lieut.
Crandall was directed to move over to the city with the LIONESS, under flag
of truce, and accompany his son with two unarmed soldiers with two flags, to
the headquarters of the commanding officer or mayor, deliver the demand and
receive written reply thereto, and then go to the custom house or Federal
building, and hoist the stars and stripes. These orders were promptly
obeyed, and to the letter, though the little party met with an experience
long to be remembered, as one of difficulty and peril, under the trying
condition of being wholly unarmed. Arriving at the landing the Lieutenant,
with the Medical Cadet Charles Rivers Ellet, the Commander's son, and two
soldiers of the boat's guard of sharpshooters (Cyrus Lathrop and William H.
McDonald) each carrying a wrapped flag under his arm, stepped quickly ashore
in the midst of a throng of onlookers, with which the bluffs on the city
front were lined, and hastily made their way up the street, with the crowd
following, or hurrying ahead on either side. Reaching the city building, the
party found the mayor waiting, and lost no time in presenting the message.
His Honor began to explain that the Confederate troops had left the city and
the mayor, as such, had no authority to act in this emergency-when he was
interrupted with the request for a written reply, which, after a few further
objections, he proceeded to write. [pgs 56-57]
When that official was informed that the next thing to be done in obedience
to orders was to raise the stars and stripes over the custom house, he
protested that trying to do this before troops were landed and the city
taken possession of would be very unwise, and he begged that the party
should not endanger itself, and perhaps the whole city by attempting it.
Reaching the Post-office building, a large four story structure, of which
the upper floor was an unfurnished lumber room, the party mounted to the
upper floor with extreme difficulty, as the surging crowd divined the
purpose, and were being urged to prevent it. In the crush, one of the flags
carried, being exposed to view, was seized, and a dozen hands eagerly tore
it to shreds, but the larger one was successfully borne to the roof. The
ascent had to be made through a scuffle, reached from the floor below, by
means of slats nailed ladder-wise on a stanchion. The two men [Cyrus
Lathrop and William McDonald] were left at the foot of this "ladder" to
guard it as best they could from the crowd surging up the stairway, while
the Lieutenant and Cadet climbed out on the roof to hoist the flag. [pg 59]
This improvised flag staff was borne by the two to the edge of the roof, and
placed in an opening of a flue, and the folds waved gracefully over the
parapet and announced to the excited populace in the street below that the
city of Memphis was again under the Old Flag. [pg 59]
Soon there was a great commotion in the room below, and angry threats
greeted the devoted band at the foot of the ladder [Cyrus Lathrop and
William McDonald], with demands that the flag come down. No effort was made
by the Lieutenant or his men to parley with the mob, but each stood resolute
at his post, and defied the crowd. [pg 59]
Just then a rumble, and a prolonged sound of explosion was heard,
accompanied by a distant shock as of a slight earthquake, and in an instant
all attention was diverted, and the crowd rapidly thinned, and made a rush
for the bluffs. No further attention was paid the flag or those defending
it, and seeing this, the Lieutenant took one man, leaving the younger Ellet
with the other to guard the flag, and hastened to the LIONESS. His return
was roundly greeted, and hin less time than it takes to tell it the other
twelve sharpshooters of the LIONESS were in line, full armed, and making
double-quick time ashore, and up the streets to where the two guards were
found on duty, undisturbed. Leaving four men to guard the colors till they
should be relieved, the Lieutenant and party returned. [pg 60]