They were ranged in a line for a breastwork, and, when rolled before the
men as they advanced, formed a moving rampart which was proof against
shot, and only to be overcome by a sortie in force, which the enemy did
not dare to make. On came the hempen breastworks, while Price's
artillery continued an effective fire. In the afternoon of the 20th the
enemy hung out a white flag, upon which General Price ordered a
cessation of firing, and sent to ascertain the object of the signal. The
Federal forces surrendered as prisoners of war, to the number of
thirty-five hundred; also, seven pieces of artillery, over three
thousand stand of muskets, a considerable number of sabres, a valuable
supply of ammunition, a number of horses, a large amount of commissary's
stores, and other property. Here were also recovered the great seal of
the State and the public records, and about nine hundred thousand
dollars of which the Bank of Lexington had been robbed. General Price
caused the money to be at once returned to the bank.
After the first day of the siege of Lexington, General Price learned
that Lane and Montgomery, from Kansas, with about four thousand men, and
General Sturgis, with fifteen hundred cavalry, were on the north side of
the Missouri River, advancing to reenforce the garrison at Lexington. At
the same time, and from the same direction, Colonel Saunders, with about
twenty-five hundred Missourians, was coming to the aid of General Price.
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