much like hunting a fox on a dray. He was encumbered
with immense trains, for which bridges had to be built over numerous
streams and roads made thru the rough country. The trains seemed to
contain a world of unnecessary things and an astonishing lack of those
necessary. Apparently almost anybody who had anything to sell could find
purchasers among the numerous men about Fremont's headquarters who had
authority to buy, or assumed it.

One astonishing item in the purchases was a great number of half barrels
for holding water, rather an extraordinary provision in a country like
Missouri, where in the month of October water is disposed to be in
excessive quantities.

Notwithstanding the astonishing purchase of mules by everybody and
anybody, none of the Division Commanders seem to have had mules enough
to pull their wagons.

225

The division started out like the horses of a balky team. Gen. Pope, of
the Right Wing, left Jefferson City Oct. 11, Sigel got away from Sedalia
with the Third Division Oct. 13, the same day Hunter left Tipton with
the Left Wing, and Asboth followed on Oct 14. Even when they started
their progress was very slow, for the columns were halted at streams
to build bridges and in the rough countries to wait for the sappers and
miners to make passable roads.

When one column was halted, all the rest had to do likewise, for though
Price kept the safe distance of 100 miles away, Fremont was in constant
apprehension of battle, and held his columns in close supporting
distance. He did not get across the Osage River until Oct. 25, or nine
days after Price's leisurely crossing that important stream, on the
banks of which it was confidently expected that he would give battle.

Price, with his diminishing forces, had no such intention, but fell
back toward Neosho, to cover as long as possible the Granby Mines, seven
miles from that place, which were the most important source of lead
for the Southern Confederacy, to which they supplied 200,000 pounds per
month.

Gov. Jackson took advantage of this breathing spell to call the
Legislature together at Neosho, where it held a two weeks' "rump"
session of the small minority of that body which favored Secession.
They passed an ordinance of Secession and elected Senators and
Representatives to the Confederate Congress, adjourning when they heard
that Fremont had at last passed the Osage.

226

Then Price took up his line of retreat toward the southern b