A Much Maligned Man: Sidney Washington Creek
Born: 13 January 1832 in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri
Died: 12 September 1892 in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri
Chapter 4 in the Life of the Much Maligned Man
In August of 1862, Missouri was fully embroiled in the
violence and unrest that had fomented the great and horrible Civil War
that would result in the greatest loss of life yet seen by Americans in
any armed conflict. Within the borders of Missouri and its neighboring
state of Kansas, factions were sharply divided and loyalties split
between the abolitionist views and the established lifestyles of the
Southern pioneers. Missouri’s Governor in 1861 was Claiborne Jackson, a
neutralist who discouraged enlistment of Missourians to Federal
service. In June of 1861 Federal authorities supported the formation of
Unionist Home Guard regiments Federally controlled; however, these
units were largely disbanded by the end of 1861 and replaced by
six-month service state controlled militia whose responsibilities were
severely limited and loosely managed. By January of 1862, these units
had also disbanded and been replaced by the Missouri State Militia, a
force of mostly cavalry units still state controlled.
As discussed in the previous installment of Sid Creek’s
story, the Red Legs of Kansas continued to organize deadly thieving
raids across the border of Northwestern Missouri. Almost all the hale
and hearty men folk were either engaged by the Confederate Army or had
enlisted as Union soldiers, leaving the farms and homesteads occupied
only by women, children and elderly men vulnerable to attack and
destruction. Those young men left behind oftimes joined with guerilla
forces to protect their homesteads and remaining family from those
vicious attacks.
Following the disastrous Battle of Pea Ridge,
Confederate forces had withdrawn from Northern Arkansas and flooded into
Missouri to recruit those loyal to the Southern cause. The success of
this recruiting effort, coupled with the failed state militia efforts to
date, resulted in Confederate Jefferson Davis choosing to legitimize
the burgeoning guerilla bands by encouraging them to “follow the rules
of war” and later be folded into the Confederate Army. This was not
acceptable, of course, to the Union Army and Brigadier General John
Schofield would respond by issuing Order No. 18 to the Missouri State
Militia which read, in part,
"When caught in arms, engaged in their unlawful warfare, they will be shot down upon the spot." (SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrolled_Missouri_Militia )
This Order, though strongly worded, had little effect
given the dwindling forces of the Missouri
State Militia and the success of the Confederate recruitment efforts.
In a move to counter these issues, on 22 July 1862 Schofield, aided by
the provisional Governor, Hamilton Rowan Gamble (who had served 4 Mar
1822 as circuit attorney in the trial where Sidney’s grandfather,
Abraham Creek, served as a juror), issued an order requiring compulsory
enrollment.
General Order No.
19 requiring loyal men to enroll in the militia, required registration
of all who had previously taken up arms against the United States, and
for them to surrender their weapons. The disloyal and Confederate
sympathizers would not be required to enroll in the militia, but would
have to declare their sympathies, which many were unwilling to do and
instead enrolled.
On 12 April 1862, Sidney Washington Creek, under duress,
signed the Oath of allegiance before Col. M. B. Pennick, Liberty
Missouri Command Post and gave bond.
1862-4-12 - Sidney Creek sworn oath to Pennick certificate
His allegiance, however, was definitely to the cause of the
Confederacy. As subsequent tightening of restrictions against Southern
sympathizers began to be exerted, Sid chose to make plans to protect his
family and serve according to his conscience. In early August of 1862,
he delivered his wife (Lucinda) and children (Georgia, Charles, Emma,
Lamira, and Beau) to the estate of his father-in-law, Henry H. Estes.
Estes would later, in a deposition prompted by the forfeiture of Sid’s
allegiance bond, state that he urged Sid to stay and not give up his
bond by leaving. Sid stated fervently that he “valued his life more than
property” and was “going to the bush.” Later that same month, Sid was
sworn into the Confederate service at Jackson, Missouri, enlisting for
“three years or the war” and was assigned to the Confederate 9th
Regiment, Missouri Cavalry, Company B (Elliott’s battalion, Capt.
Walton’s company).
The morning of 8 January 1863, would find Sid marching
with the Confederate troops assigned to Col. Joseph Orville Shelby on
the outskirts of Springfield, Missouri. The mission was to augment the
two regiments marching in under Brig Gen. John S. Marmaduke who was
driving forces up from Pocahontas and Lewisburg, Arkansas, into the area
where the Union forces per scout reports had been weakened. In this
series of skirmishes, Sid would bear arms. Timing became a critical
factor for the rebel troops, as columns commanded by Col. Joseph C.
Porter and Col. Emmett MacDonald failed to arrive in time to make a
coordinated pincer attack against the embedded Union troops. Ultimately,
the Confederate troops were forced to withdraw, suffering losses
greater than those of their Union counterparts.
Immediately following Marmaduke’s retreat from
Springfield, his troops met up with Col. Porter. They engaged Union
forces over three days (January 9 to 11, 1863) at Hartville, Missouri.
As part of Col. Ben Elliott’s 1st Bttn., Missouri Cavalry, under command
of Col. J. O. Shelby, Sidney Creek was assigned to picket duty. This
consisted of a fixed position scouting operation where the advance
location of the pickets could relay word of opposing forces’ movements
to their commanders, thus, directing the most opportune strategic moves
for the troops. This three-day operation resulted in mixed successes.
The Union forces were disrupted, forced to abandon some key positions
and permitted Marmaduke to set up a field hospital for a time; however,
the resultant loss of several Confederate leaders (among them Brigade
Commander Porter and Col. MacDonald) dealt a serious blow to the
Confederate troops.
This is a charcoal sketch done by Anna Lee (Dillenbeck) Stacey.
Charcoal portrait of General Joseph Orville Shelby in suit coat, vest, shirt, and tie.
The drawing is signed by the artist. Below the signature,
"Genl. Jos. Orvill Shelby" is written in different hand
From State of Missouri website Archives covering the Civil War.
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Following the days long skirmishes at Hartville,
Missouri, Marmaduke marched his troops back south to Arkansas. Sid, as
part of Col. Shelby’s command, was encamped south of the White River at
the farm of Franklin Desha. It was bitterly cold. Union Col. George
Waring, 4th Missouri Cavalry, along with his 600 troops was given
permission to engage the Confederate forces at Batesville, Arkansas. It
is reported that a CSA scout who rushed to Marmaduke to warn of the
impending foray was disbelieved. (Your author, given knowledge of Sidney
Creek’s canny abilities, recent duties as an advance scout, and family
lore that he served as a spy for the rebels, wonders if this scout was,
indeed, our Sid.) At any rate, many of the rebel troops managed to move
by ferry across the White River ahead of Waring’s approach. Knowing he
was badly outnumbered by the troops under Marmaduke’s command, Waring
employed a few slick tricks to delude his enemy as to the size of his
own command. He ordered small groups to deploy over a wide area, setting
up fake campfires to indicate a wide-ranging group of men. He also
employed misinformation techniques by use of the local rumor mill,
dropping hints that his was merely a small detachment of a much larger
force soon to arrive. This strategy served to deter Marmaduke from
crossing back over the river and engaging the much smaller force with
his some 3,000 plus soldiers. Early the following morning, 4 February
1863; however, Shelby gave chase.
The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture (website) reports:
encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=6690
The Union
troops wasted no time packing and preparing to move at dawn; as Waring
reported: “We levied such contributions of supplies as were necessary
for our return march, and, in order that the return might not look like a
retreat, we loaded two wagons with hogsheads of sugar, which would be
welcome in Davidson’s commissariat.” Local resident Emily Weaver noted,
“Towards day-break, the whole command moved swiftly north, and a few
hours later, Gen. Shelby crossed the river with about three thousand
men, and followed them a short distance.”
Waring led his men, their prisoners, and their supplies as
rapidly as possible through the snow back north. One historian
summarized the end of the story succinctly. “The command then marched
to Evening Shade, Arkansas, twenty-five miles north of Batesville, where
Waring paroled and released most of his badly frostbitten prisoners.”
That February of 1863, Sidney Washington Creek became one of Gen. Waring’s unfortunate prisoners of war.
He was captured, and detailed to care for the sick and wounded.
The bitter cold, lack of food, exhaustion and ragged clothing had taken its toll.
Within a few days, Waring paroled his prisoners, partly to avoid having to care for them as well as his own troops.
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Sid managed to find a sympathetic farmer who permitted him to
stay there, work the farm, rest up, heal and recover sufficiently to
start for home as soon as the weather broke. Spring finally brought
warmth for travel and on 20 May 1863, Sid set off, finally, for his
home. On 31st May 1863, Cyrus Peroman, a private with the EMM, spotted
him in Johnson County, Missouri. Sid was behind enemy lines, dressed in
the uniform of a Union soldier. He gave his name as Peter West, but was
soon identified as one Sidney Washington Creek, Confederate Spy.
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Sidney Creek alias Peter West. |
Although your author believes the Provost Marshal
General took the statement of one “Peter West” extensive searching has
only turned up the cover used for the evidentiary file. We do, however,
have the statement provided under the true name of Sidney Creek:
“I was taken prisoner by
Col. Warren’s (*) forces near Batesville, Ark. about 6th day of Feb’y
1863, & was paroled. I remained in Arkansas from that time (working
on a farm) until about May 20th 1863 when I started for my home in Clay
Co. Mo. I was making my way through Johnson Co. when arrested. I got the
Federal Clothing I had on when arrested from a Confederate Soldier who
was arrested & paroled at the same time I was, & who afterwards
died. I think he got them at Springfield. I have no leave of absence or
furlough, but was coming home intending to deliver myself up to the
Federal authorities for trial for breaking my oath & bond. I was run
off from home at the time of the enrollment of the EMM, because I would
not join the loyal EMM. I was a Southern man and did not want to do
it.”
(*) Sidney incorrectly gives the name of “Col. Warren” rather
than the actual name of GEN. WARING, whose troops actually captured him
and who provided paroles for all captured prisoners shortly thereafter
as shown above. The prisoner he refers to, one Peter West, was reported
as “slightly wounded” in the battle of Springfield, Mo. on 8 January
1863 and is not known to have died. Several of Sid’s responses were
designed to obfuscate the truth and provide protection to his fellow
comrades in arms in the Confederate cause. He avoids indicating that he
had any military duty associated with his capture by Waring’s troops, as
well. Probably because he was acting as a spy or, at minimum, a scout
for Shelby. (As an interesting aside here, the officer to whom his
statement was made was none other than Samuel Swinfin Burdett, lawyer,
later Congressman from Missouri, who would become the Commander in Chief
of the Grand Army of the Republic 1885-1886.)
Hon. S. S. Burdett was a member of the First Iowa
Cavalry; served, during the war of the rebellion, as Provost Marshal
General, with headquarters at St. Louis, Mo.; was afterward Member of
Congress for two terms from Missouri; also, was Commissioner of the
General Land Office, which he resigned, and is now practicing his
profession in Washington City.
SOURCE: The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of
the County, Its Cities, Towns & Biographical Sketches of Citizens,
January 1, 1879, Western Historical Company, publisher.
Portrait created 1 Jan 1880 by L. Weiser,
National Portrait Gallery
Samuel Swinfin Burdett
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Following his capture in Johnson County, Sid was under
intense scrutiny. His true identity was discovered and depositions taken
to confirm not only his identity, but his allegiance to the “Southern”
cause, and his “disloyalty” which would result in the forfeiture of his
loyalty bond in the amount of $1,500 (a large sum of money in 1863!)
Those deposed to establish his identity were a childhood friend, William
Doniphan, and his father-in-law, Henry Harris Estes. Additionally, one
Robert W. Fleming, a 2d Lieut. in 4th Pro Reg’t with ties to Clay
County, Missouri, wrote a venomous letter suggesting Sidney Creek
deserved no less than death as punishment! His claim, undoubtedly,
referred back to the 1860 incident involving the killing of Bernard
Mosby in an altercation with Sid over lumber. No charges were filed; it
being assumed the authorities investigating the matter deemed it a
matter of self-defense. Bernard Mosby was first cousin to John
Singleton Mosby, known more famously as The Gray Ghost during the Civil
War for his daring exploits and flamboyant attire. Given Fleming’s Union
affiliation and unyielding devotion to its cause, it must be assumed
his outrage was vented to Sid as a “bushwhacker” and not related to any
partiality to the Mosby family known for its devotion to the Confederate
cause. Our appreciation for Fleming’s letter lies only in the fact that
he supplies the one description of Sid Creek that exists beyond the
family lore: a “stout man with black eyes” and “when dressed up, is a
good looking man.” No photo of Sid has surfaced but his sister, Virginia
Adolphus Creek, described him as being very tall, a fiercely loyal man,
“a brave and wonderful person,” devoted to the protection of his family
and his homeland.
The other part of Fleming’s letter that may provide
valuable information, if accurate, is that Sid served with Gen. Sterling
“Pap” Price’s Army (actually a state militia) before giving bond in
April of 1862. That would place Sid alongside Old Pap Price’s forces as
they challenged pro-Union forces attempting to oust sitting Governor
Claiborne Jackson. That time frame would have been from April 1861
through about August of 1861 when Price’s troops were forced southward
into Arkansas, leaving Missouri a majority pro-Union state for most of
the War. Fleming states Sid returned and “joined the Bushwhackers.”
Records show he actually enlisted in the C.S.A. in August of 1862, so
any time served alongside his kinfolk with Quantrill’s Raiders would
have been brief, although more than one publication lists his name as
one of Quantrill’s men.
Robert W Fleming Letter of 16 Jun 1863.
After his arrest 31 May 1863, Sid was remanded to
Warrensburg where he was held for some 10 days during which time
evidence was collected to enforce the forfeiture of his bond. By 13 Jun
1863, Sid had been transferred to Gratiot (pronounced “grass-shut”)
Street Military Prison in St. Louis, Missouri, where on the 15th of June
he was examined by S. S. Burdett, Acting Provost Marshal General where
he gave the statement previously referenced. He was held at Gratiot
along with a variety of inmates: citizens who were arrested for
“hallooing for Jefferson Davis” or being drunk or disorderly,
gunrunners, bootleggers who served liquor to slaves, Confederate
prisoners, spies and those suspected of disloyal actions or treasonous
statements. Formerly the McDowell Medical College, Gratiot was a large,
multi-story, rambling building including a dank and dreary basement. Its
transmogrification to a prison was prompted by the over crowding of
nearby Myrtle Street Prison and the impending influx of thousands more
prisoners. The unique mix of inmates made for an unruly situation with
occasional escapes effected without much apparent effort. It was a
miserable place to be although its inmates were spared the horrific
conditions experienced by many in other prison camps such as
Andersonville.
| Absalom Grimes, who spent the majority of 1864 in
these rooms, said, “In those stirring war days no man was of importance
or standing until he had been locked up in Gratiot Street prison at
least a few days… The citizens referred to would be rounded up about
town and locked up without charges, apology, or explanation and after
being boarded for from one week to two months they would be called
before the provost marshal and presented with the oath of allegiance to
the United States, which they had to sign without question, no matter
how great the effort.” |
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Gratiot Street Military Prison - St. Louis Mo. 1861-1864
It was in this prison Sid would linger while the wheels
of “justice” ground along. On 30 July 1863, the formalities were
dispensed with and the formal Forfeiture of Bond occurred:
“Sidney Creek, Pvt. – Cpt.
Walton’s Co., Elliott’s Bn. – Clav. Mo. Vol., St. Lewis (sic) “being a
Confederate soldier in disguise within our lines as a spy” has forfeited
his bond to the U.S. Government.
This was soon followed by the
report on 8 August 1863 that “after arrest on the 12th day of April 1862
Sidney Creek gave $1,500 for ‘future loyalty’ and received a parole to
the limits of the said Clay Co.” Things were beginning to wind down.
August 12, 1863, the official action to forfeit the bond was taken by U S
Attorney Richard A. Barrett. This having been accomplished, Sid’s
parole was soon thereafter effected. (SOURCE: "Confiscated and
Contraband Property - Richard A. Barrett, Aug.8, 1863” paper.) |
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On 26 August 1863, Sidney Washington Creek was paroled
from the Gratiot Street Military Prison. He would once again begin the
arduous trek home from St. Louis to the Northwestern edge of the state.
No more materials have been located which would indicate Sid returned
to action of any kind in the “War of the Rebellion.” All indications
are that he returned to his home, reunited with his wife and family and
undertook the task of rebuilding a life on the farm. He and Lucinda
would add to their family with the birth of Susan Ludicia 25 May 1865,
followed in fairly short order by Lucinda Agnes in 1868, Virginia
Darlisco (known affectionately as Jennie) in 1869, Sarah Lee in 1872
and, finally, little Lillie in 1873.
The final chapter in the life of Sidney Washington
Creek will be published in the September issue of PencilStubs. For many
folks, a simple recitation of the date and cause of death will suffice –
perhaps, even the location where their final remains lie at rest. But
not for our Sid. His was a life filled from start to finish with drama.
That dramatic ending to his life comes next month. Stay tuned.
Click on author's byline for bio and list of other works published by Pencil Stubs Online.
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