Wolf almost executed

Major Wolf was captured during the Battle of Mine Creek during Price's Raid and was almost executed by Union authorities in retaliation for the death of several prisoners of war at the hands of Col. Tim Reeves. Several senior Confederate Commanders were captured during the battle of Mine Creek, including General Cabell and General Marmaduke. The Federals captured also seven majors including Major Wolf Maj. E. 0. Wolf.

Early in Price's raid, at the Battle of Ironton, Confederate forces had captured Major James Wilson of the Missouri State Militia and five of his men. As soon as Col. Tim Reeves, a Confederate colonel, learned that Major Wilson was a prisoner he took a file of men and went to the guard tent and demanded Major Wilson and the six privates. As soon as Major Wilson saw Colonel Reeves he exclaimed: "I am a dead man, Colonel Reeves will kill me." And in his day book he wrote a few lines to his wife, and give it, money, and a pocket knife to a Federal prisoner. Colonel Reeves took Major Wilson and the six privates out a short distance and executed them. This execution was reportedly in retaliation for actions that Major Wilson had taken against the families of some of Colonel Reeves's men earlier in the war.

After Price's men had left the area, the bodies were discovered and the executions were reported to Union Major General Rosecrans. Ironically the number of Union prisoners killed was miss reported as being Major Wilson and six privates, instead of Major Wilson and five. General Rosecrans ordered a Confederate major and six Confederate privates being held as prisoner of war be executed in retaliation for the killing of Major Wilson and the six privates. As the Union currently had no Confederate majors as prisoners, they took out six privates and executed them on six hours' notice. When Major Wolf was captured at the battle of Mine Creek, the Union had its opportunity to seek revenge for the slaying of Major Wilson. The guards told Major Wolf that they drew straws to see which one should pay the debt, and Major Wolf was the unlucky one. On November 7, Department of the Missouri, Special Orders No. 287, ordered that Wolf be shot on November 11, in retaliation for the murder of Major Wilson.

The next morning after Major Wolf got to St. Louis, the guards attached a thirty two pound ball with chain to his leg. Then they took him to a large room set apart and read this sentence to him: "By orders of Major General Roseerans. Major Wolf, you are to be shot to death with musketry in retaliation for the murder of Major Wilson and the six privates that Colonel Reeves executed." It was very early in the morning, and several Federal officers were present. On first reading Major Wolf did not fully understand, and called for a second reading, and when the adjutant had finished the second reading. Major Wolf explained that he knew nothing about the killing of Major Wilson, but as they were looking for an ardent Southern man to execute in retaliation, he supposed that they had made a fair selection. After the reading of the sentence they escorted Major Wolf to a cell, where he was closely guarded to await execution. They gave him four days. Captain Allen commanded the prison and treated Major Wolf kindly.

Fellow Confederate prisoners, General Cabell and Major Cariton wrote several letters to Union authorities at St. Louis on behalf of Major Wolf while he was under sentence of death. Captain Allen furnished Major Wolf with pen, ink, and paper, and he wrote a letter to his wife telling her the sad news and that it had fallen to his lot to be executed for the wrongs of other men. He told her how to rear his dear children and to take care of what he had left her. He hoped she would have no trouble rearing his children with the assistance of his Masonic friends. When Major Wolf had finished his letter, Captain Allen asked him if he wanted a preacher, and Major Wolf said yes. Captain Allen sent for Rev. A. C. Osborn, a Baptist minister. Rev Osborn told Major Wolf that if he had any relics he wanted his wife to have, he would take charge of them and see that she got them. The minister told Major Wolf if there was anything in the letter that was contraband he wouldn't be allowed to take it. The minister read Major Wolf's letter and noticed that Wolf told his wife to take care of what he had left her and with the assistance of his Masonic friends. The preacher asked: "Major, are you a Mason?" The Major replied: 'I am,". Rev. Osborn hurried out and called the lodge together and telegraphed President Abraham Lincoln to attempt to stop the execution.^[6]

Lincoln received telegrams from James E. Yeatman, Able Barton, and P. L. Terry, of St. Louis, Missouri, asking for clemency in the case of Major Wolf.

To William S. Rosecrans

Office U.S. Military Telegraph, Major General Rosecrans War Department, St. Louis, Mo. Washington, D.C., Nov. 10 1864.

Suspend execution of Major Wolf until further order, & meanwhile, report to me on the case. A. LINCOLN^[7]

On November 10, 1974, General Rosecrans acknowledged receipt of Lincoln's telegram, and on November 11 wrote a detailed report covering the essential facts of Major Wolf's case. President Lincoln ended the practice of retaliatory executions.