When the battle raged most fiercely the cellar proved a place of refuge.

Shells tore through the house, sometimes from the National batteries, and sometimes from Rebel guns.
One shell exploded in a room where three women were sitting.

Though their clothes were torn by the flying fragments, they escaped without personal injury.

They announced their determination not to leave home so long as the house remained standing.
Among other things captured at Elkhorn Tavern by the Rebels, was a sutler's wagon, which, had just arrived from St.Louis.In the division of the spoils, a large box, filled with wallets, fell to the lot of McDonald's Battery.

For several weeks the officers and privates of this battery could boast of a dozen wallets each, while very few had any money to carry.