bio-Cline

1882 History of Linn County, Missouri

BIOGRAPHY

RICHARD S. CLINE Grantsville Township, page 852

Mr. Cline was born in Johnson county, Indiana, on the seventh of February, 1838. His parents, Levi and Matilda (Herndon) Cline, are both natives of Kentucky, the former born in 1811, and the latter in 18-- . They emigrated to Shelby county, Illinois, when Richard was about twelve years old, and resided there till 1857, when they removed to Chariton county, this State, where they settled on a farm. Our subject resided there till the spring of 1862, when he enrolled in the Union service, Company B, of the Second Missouri, with which he served two months. In 1863, he came to Linn county, and was soon after enrolled in Company K, Second Provisional Regiment. While serving with this regiment, he was stationed at different points in Missouri, including Brookfield, Brunswick, and Macon City. Again, in February, 1864, he was transferred to Company L, of the Twelfth Regiment of Missouri Cavalry. He served here about eighteen months. On the twenty-fourth of November, 1864, Mr. Cline was captured at Campbellville, Tennessee, by General Forrest. The Confederates, being needy themselves, did not hesitate to act on the principle that “to the victors belong the spoils,” and consequently robbed him of his clothing. The prisoners were marched to Columbia, Tennessee; retained two months and were then taken to Corinth, Mississippi, where they were held two weeks, and then marched to Andersonville, via Columbus, Meridian and Montgomery. They were kept at Andersonville till April, 1865. This prison is known to have been the worst the Confederates had, and many stories of privation and suffering can be told by Mr. Cline, and, in fact, by all soldiers ever held in that prison. On the night of April 17, 1865, a number of prisoners, including Mr. Cline, were taken from the prison to Baldwin, Florida, a distance of sixty-five miles, which the soldier prisoners had to make on foot. Some of them gave out and died from the effects of privation. They were marched to within a few miles of Baldwin, and turned loose in the swamp. They made their way to Jacksonville, Florida, where Mr. Cline and a few others entered the Union lines. He was soon after sent, with a detachment, to Annapolis, Maryland. Soon after this, they were ordered to St. Louis, where Mr. Cline was honorably discharged. Returning to Linn, he was soon engaged by a railroad company to assist in making a survey, and he was thus occupied for a year. He then began grading work for the same road, continuing till about December, 1878. On February 3d, 1867, shortly before he quit railroading, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Guyer, a lady born in Miller county, this State, on the twelfth of June, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Cline have been blessed with six children, four of whom still survive. Their names, in order of birth are: William H. (deceased), Elizabeth A., Laura J., Jacob S., Joseph A., and Mary E. (deceased).

Mr. Cline began farming soon after quitting the railroad, and has not followed any other calling since that time. Though an invalid, Mr. Cline does what work he can, and is possessed of a neat, comfortable home in Grantsville township. He draws a pension from the government; a justly merited compensation for his lost health, due to his privations in the service of the Union.

He and his lady are both efficient members of the Baptist Church, and are respected by all who know them.

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