Shooting the parson

[newshirt]

As a witness, I must bitterly protest the shooting of the Gray Summit pastor, and the circumstances surrounding his arrest on the Sabbath of October 4th.

I and a Federal Lieutenant attended his morning service. It commenced and proceeded with regular alacrity, when folks inside the church soon noticed Federal solders circling with torches and angry stares through the rippled windows. Whispers circulated, disrupting the pastor’s readings from the Book of Mark. When wafts of smoke entered the church, the town sheriff tapped me on the shoulder suggesting I return to ranks.

When I exited the church, "Hog" and a few others were pacing wildly with fixed bayonets – fire in their eyes. No amount of reason could convince them of the pastor’s integrity and allegiance to the Union. “There’s secesh in there!” Hog shouted. His rage could not be tempered to any reasonable degree, and no officers were nearby to restrain him. As a private soldier, I attempted no such physical restraint.

Within one minute, the Federal Lieutenant emerged from the church, also confirming Hog’s assertion. "He's quoting Jeff Davis," the Lieutenant said. A fevered pitch spread to other men. I was incredulous. No such secesh preaching had occurred, and I am a sober and reliable witness of those proceedings.

I can only hope my testimony will be taken under consideration, and a full investigation opened.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Shooting the parson

My only regrets of the action was that I laughed so hard at the "brave" sheriff" the flame went out and that we wasted two bullets on that parson. If we were worried with the sheriff, his shotgun could have been removed from the hall of the church.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Shooting the parson

Well, at least I respect the house of the Lord, unlike some folks. I wasn't going to take that shotgun into His sanctuary. Plus, I had other weapons to fall back upon and before it was done, they were there with us. I suppose you missed them being brought into the churchyard.

By the way sergeant, you would have got the first barrel since you had the torch, Hog would have had the second although I would have preferred to have the order reversed. I figured it would be over for me so I was just going to take as many with me as I could.

[Silvana Siddali]

Re: Shooting the parson

It was truly a shocking moment. Our dear Pastor, Rev. Cope, was relatively new to our community. He had moved to Gray Summit only recently. Although we had a good idea of his political leanings, he was always very careful to explain that all of God's children deserved love and understanding. He tried to promote harmony in Gray Summit, not to stir dissension, but he also felt that he had the right to preach as he saw fit from his own pulpit.

The town was indeed divided. I confess I was surprised when I heard the Reverend mention the day of fasting and prayer instituted by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. I did not hear him praise Davis, but I supposed that he was referring to the idea that a prayerful observance of the day would be acceptable to the Lord in any case. Still, I was saddened to see that the Unionist citizens felt compelled to leave the church when Rev. Cope began to speak about the "usurpers" and "invaders." Lincolnite or not, these folks are our neighbors and friends and the divisions are painful to all.

I was frightened to see the hateful looks on the faces of the dastards who carried torches and guns past the church windows. But nothing could prepare me for the horror that came next. Our good Pastor was taken out of the church bound in ropes. The soldiers marched him to the Mill immediately. The Reverend cried out in desperation, "Ladies, help me! Help me!" But before anyone could think or speak his captors had forced him behind the Mill.

Within very few minutes a terrible shot rang out -- then another. For a long time we believed our dear Reverend to be dead. The women stood staring in horror, unable to move from the scene, even when the federal commander ordered us back into our homes. The women who work in the Inn, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Good, ran across the green to the Mill to see what could be done for poor Rev. Cope.

I will never forget the terrible sadness of Rev. Cope's cry for help.

The last I heard, the bullet had entered his shoulder and he lost a great deal of blood, but he is still alive.

Yes, there will indeed be a trial. The miscreants have been captured and the witnesses stand ready to testify.

May Heaven have mercy on them, for Gray Summit will not.

[Andy Ackeret]

Re: Shooting the parson

Sir,

If you left the service before it was concluded, how would you know whether or not the Parson invoked the name of Jefferson Davis and the Confederate States government?

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Re: Shooting the parson

Hog acted in self defense. The preacher is a shifty man who in fact was a rebel. He did in fact have a reference in his sermon to the rebel president Davis. I should know...before we left town I found his rough draft of the sermon.


Here is what the parson said:
"Therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, do issue this my proclamation setting apart Wednesday, the sixteenth day of November next, as a day to be specially devoted to the worship of Almighty God ; and I do invite and invoke all the people of these Confederate States to assemble......"


On another note: Silvana may have an announcment coming shortly. Consider this case OPEN!

[newshirt]

Re: Shooting the parson

Sir,

If you left the service before it was concluded, how would you know whether or not the Parson invoked the name of Jefferson Davis and the Confederate States government?

Perhaps you are correct; it may have occurred after I left. But by the time I had exited, Hog had already made his wild assersions and drew up a large crowd. He could have heard no more than me. And I heard no secesh preaching.

[J. Donaldson]

Re: Shooting the parson

I wanted to take that shotgun out of the doorway while no one was looking, but the Sergeant said that it was all right since it was the Sheriff's. Sheriff, you might have had the chance to pull one trigger, but that would've been your last action on this earth, I promise you that.

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Re: Shooting the parson

Did Hog say he was going to shoot the parson while he walked around the church?
Did Sgt. landrum say he was going to burn down the church?


The parson should also stand trial for stealing oatmeal that was intended for the men of Company I. While in his parsonage I found the draft and the oatmeal. Many a good union man went without breakfast...

You people of Grey Summit are lucky that we didn't burn your town down. '

Orderly Sgt Holloway
Company I 21st Missouri

[Michael Comer]

Re: Shooting the parson

There were some good Union men in Gray Summit before you all came to town - not anymore.

[Old Reb]

Re: Shooting the parson

Holler,
The only disappointing aspect of you and the Federals burning the town would be that it would have left nothing for us to burn. My other disappointment was that historically, even the most vile of men did not harm women and children for had that been the custom of the day, there would have been women in the grist mill when we burned it down with the bodies of the ten men we executed.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Shooting the parson

That damn Parson lashed out at the detail in the Mill. If we had no respect for the town people, we would have done what the Preachers men did instead of leave you ladies of Gray's Summit without one crooked whore mongering preacher.

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Re: Shooting the parson

Did anyone see Hog pull the trigger? And was he the only one? There was another solider with him...


Tom,

We should have been working together.

[J. Donaldson]

Re: Shooting the parson

The only good Union men in Gray Summit marched out about noon on Sunday. That's all I've got to say on that issue.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Shooting the parson

I saw him pull the trigger. And I heard him say he'd shoot it again. Of course, he missed the first time - probably would have the second time also.