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Northwest Missouri Civil War Experience

Sat, 24 May 2008 08:46:52 GMT

Missouri's past during the Civil War was very divided and the state was 3rd in having the most battles during the war. Museum Hill Bed and Breakfast has created an awesome website dedicated to the history of the Civil War in the Pony Express Region of the state: Northwest Missouri Civil War Excursions. The site has plenty of places to visit. Use this site as a self guided Civil War Itinerary while lodging at Museum Hill Bed and Breakfast in St Joseph Missouri. While sitting on the porch of this property enjoying a glass of wine or a shot of good brandy, you will be able to enjoy the breathtaking view Civil War Union soldiers used for lookouts to watch for gunboats along the Missouri River during the War. The hill and property line Museum Hill Bed and Breakfast is on was at one time a strategic vantage point for observation of the river and the entire central part of the city of St Joseph. Attached is a drawing from 1861 before the war began of the vantage point area. The drawing was drawn from a corner one block behind Museum Hill Bed and Breakfast's property line. The position is angled down, putting the actual property line to the upper right hand corner of the drawing. Also attached is a picture of a genuine Civil War cannon in Patee House Museum. The Patee House was headquarters in St Joseph to Union soldiers during the Civil War. While there were no Civil War battles fought in St Joseph, the city was heavily divided and many "skirmishes" developed including the famous "flag incident" involving the St Joseph postmaster during that time. The rest of this story can be told at the
The Pony Express Museum also in St. Joseph. There is a room in this museum that has a full wall painting illustrating this particular incident and it is well worth seeing. Museum Hill Bed and Breakfast is a proud business partner of the Missouri Civil War Heritage Foundation.

Article by John Courter (CTA-Certified Tourism Ambassador)

MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM--(CIVIL WAR) ARCHAEOLOGY SERIES

Wed, 21 May 2008 18:33:34 GMT

The Missouri History Museum in St. Louis, MO will be hosting a series of free events in its archaeology series. Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 7PM will present Steve Dasovich, Ph.D., head of the Cultural Resource Services Division for SCI Engineering, Inc. leading a discussion about the Civil War in the Arcadia Valley (Iron County, MO). Steve Dasovich will be speaking in the AT&T Foundation Multipurpose Room. Sunday, June 8, 2008 at 2PM in the Lee Auditorium. Douglas Scott, Ph.D. will be discussing his recent findings from his excavation of the first battle of Boonville, Wilson's Creek and Centralia. The findings will offer new insights into the battles. For more information, please visit www.mohistory.org/ and click on EVENT CALENDAR.

WAVERLY TO REENACT CAPTURE OF THE SUNSHINE

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:56:54 GMT

June 28, 2008 - June 29, 2008 Waverly On June 28 the Confederates will capture the “Sunshine” and confiscate her load. On June 29 the Union will recalim their freight. There will be music, skirmishes, antiques, food, plus many more entertaining events. Fireworks on Saturday night. Doublles horseshoe tournament on Sunday. We are also celebrating Founders’ Day. The newly organized General Jo Shelby Iron Brigadde will be having it’s first annual muster. Memberships to the Iron Brigade may be purchased at this eventl The Waverly Arts Council will be re-enacting the following story at their Civil War History Festival on June 28 – 29, 2008 THE WOODEN GUN OR THE CAPTURE OF THE SUNSHINE Battles, fierce, brutal, destructive, peculiarly, Missouri in nature, dotted the state. Wilson’s Creek in Southern Missouri was a Confederate victory. In Neosho the legislature passed an ordinance of secession, and on November 28, Missouri’s star was added to the flag of the Confederacy. Captain Jo Shelby of Waverly, the most “southern” of men in his actions, thoughts, emotions and even looks, was developing into one of the war’s great cavalrymen. At this stage of the war, one of his functions was to ride north to the Missouri River to recruit. And while there one time he hit upon a wild and daring scheme to inflame to patriotism as well as feed his new recruits. Shelby clambered along St. Thomas Wharf near Waverly to the stand of huge cottonwoods which concealed his command of 100 cavalrymen. As he climbed the bank, he could see the big black mock siege gun poking its nose above the brush, and he thought of what effect it might have on the steamboat when it came in sight. “I hope it does the trick,” he said, as he hurried on to the camp. He had been at his home in Waverly to see his wife and two small sons, but only briefly, because the Federal troops were as thick as huckleberries in summer. Under the cloak of early dawn he had reconnoitered the town, spied out the troop strength, and now returning with good news for his battle-weary men. “Boys,” he said, “boys! It’s even better than we figured – they think there’s two or three thousand of us hid out here! It’s rumored – and I don’t say I didn’t have anything to do with the rumor,” and at this the men laughed, “but it’s being told about Waverly that we have a dozen cannon! Big ones! My stars – if we only had one in place of that wooden siege gun we fixed up. But let me tell you, from the river she looks real – and vicious! – sticking her nose through the brush just like some old water moccasin lying a creek bed. I swear it’ll fool the captain of that steamboat. Yes sir,” the flashy young officer continued, “when he sees that black muzzle pointed right at his eyeballs, if he doesn’t give up he’s a braver fool Yankee than I’ve ever seen. And when the ship comes in sight, you know what else to do. Meanwhile, we’ll rest up – but keep a sharp eye for blue-bellies – they’re everywhere!” Shelby had brought his detachment of Lafayette County Calvary 120 miles behind the lines of the enemy. It was the first of many daring raids into enemy territory which would make him famous. He and his hundred men, whom he had mounted and equipped out of his own pocket, had fought their way across six counties to arrive here on the bank of the of the Missouri River. Most of them had families in the Missouri Valley. A week before, they had left Cowskin Prairie south of Springfield, setting out on what they knew might be a suicide mission. Because the Confederate army badly needed recruits, Captain Jo Shelby had volunteered to return to his own countryside where he was well known. “There’s a lot of boys up there,” he told General Sterling Price in Cowskin Prairie, “who are Southern sympathizers – eager to join us. They’re cut off there in the valley, in Lafayette and Jackson counties. If they know they’re needed, they’ll flock to the Banner of the Bars – especially now that it is an out and out Civil War.” General Price had finally assented. Shelby, he knew, was not only a brave officer but a foxy one at that. And then these Missouri Valley boys hadn’t been home for many months. And if Shelby could recruit an army – well, maybe they could retake Missouri and add a state to the Confederacy as well as a star to its flag. The youthful cavalry officer was a born leader of men. Though many enlisted, still a great number held back. He needed something to excite their young fighting spirit – some swift, daring victory right here in the enemy’s stronghold – something they could shout about and rally to. And, more realistically, he had to be able to provision them and give them rifles and ammunition. In short,he needed to capture the Federal steamboat Sunshine that was heading this way, loaded with Federal supplies and bound for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. She was scheduled to pass Waverly in just four to five days. He sent word that all who elected to ride with him and General Sterling Price in the Confederate States of America should join him in five days for the trip south. He would have the necessary arms and mounts for them. The next day his men felled a cottonwood tree, carved it, and painted it black to look like a monstrous cannon. Shelby hoped he could trick the steamboat captain into thinking a deadly siege gun was trained on him. It looked deadly, all right, thought Shelby. It must work. The plundering of the Sunshine meant success or failure for his new army – indeed, it meant the death or life of his present men. They were five score miles from their own lines, with the enemy in between. Meanwhile the river was golden in the summer days, and Waverly, for all the war preparations and the marching Federals, basked sleepily in the late July sun. Each night Shelby and a detachment of troops raided the Federals, stirred up commotion and confusion, and thus drew the attention of more and more young sympathizers. He made recruiting speeches all along the river, in Lafayette and Jackson counties, and even dared to ride into Kansas City to see old friends and gather information. On the bright morning of August 2, 1861, a down-river lookout galloped into the cottonwood camp and up to Captain Shelby. “She’s a comin’! That old steamboat’s comin’ along like she never heard of war. Be here before noon!” Shelby’s black eyes gleamed with excitement. “Take your places,” he bellowed to his men. “Let go the rafts there – you men get along to the other side of the river and make that hempline secure.” A half dozen small, hastily made rafts, covered and lashed at the river’s edge, slid into the water. One, carrying fifteen men armed with rifles, stretched a heavy hemp rope across the stream. When Shelby saw everything was in readiness and that the men had once again faded into the brush and trees, he said, “The rest of you make sure what you have to do. If this trick is going to work, every man has to do his share – and then some!” The hot sun was rising high in the blue heavens when a lookout gave the warning. It was an anxious moment – the men tense with excitement , but silent as they watched the heavily loaded steamboat sailing along as gaily and brightly as her name, “Sunshine.” When she was almost opposite St. Thomas Wharf, Shelby gave the command to commence firing. The steamboat, turning quickly to the far bank where it met more rifle fire, made a zig-zag course. From the bushes the snout of the formidable looking siege gun followed her every turn. And then, rising behind the black cannon were great clouds of dust, as if made by a full cavalry regiment racing for the river – a very useful storm made only by a squad of Shelby’s horsemen dragging small trees through a parched clearing. Right in front of the vessel, rifle fire cracked from small rafts strung on the huge hemp line across the river. The river seemed full of Confederate troops and on shore, behind every cottonwood, there appeared to be a dozen riflemen. Then, when the vexed steamboat had slowed her progress midstream, Shelby gave the command to cease firing, and strode to the wharf. “Captain!” he shouted, “I am Captain Jo Shelby, under the command of General Sterling Price of the army of the Confederate States of America. You have exactly three minutes to surrender your vessel. If you choose not to surrender, my siege guns will blow you out of the water. You have three minutes.” He returned to the cover of the trees, crossed his fingers, and waited. Then, shouts of victory went up from 100 throats – the steamer was flying the white flag and moving toward the wharf! Shelby took 60 of his men and quickly boarded her to confiscate the cargo. The booty would be sorely missed by the enemy. The “Sunshine” carried 100 army wagons and horses, 1,500 sacks of flour, nearly 500 Sharps rifle and enough ammunition to see his men and new recruits through to their lines. Most of the wagons had to be abandoned, but there was plenty of free flour in Waverly that afternoon. When the day’s work was done the jubilant Captain had supper with his family. Then, in the night when raw but well equipped recruits had joined his troops, the small army started on the long journey south, to arrive finally with victory and fervor in their hearts. Later the Federals returned to reclaim, what was left of, their load of freight. Shortly after this incident the Federals decided to burn Shelby’s home, ropewalk and wharf. Decade of Decision 1855 – 1865 Published by Kansas City Life Insurance Co. 1960.

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Francis Herron

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 02:32:59 GMT

Francis J. Herron was a banker in Dubuque, Iowa, before the Civil War. As a Captain, he fought in the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, on August 10, 1861, then soon returned to Iowa to help field the 9th Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The 9th Iowa’s first assignment was to guard the railroad in Pacific, Missouri, and Herron and the regiment arrived on October 11, 1861.

Wilson’s Creek, near Springfield, is on the Wire Road, as were the Arkansas battles at Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove. At Pea Ridge in 1862, Herron was wounded and captured, and received the Medal of Honor and a promotion to Brigadier General for his actions there. On December 3, 1862, Herron commanded a division of the Union Army of the Frontier, camped just south of Springfield. Summoned to northwest Arkansas, Herron moved down the Wire Road and arrived with 3500 troops to save the Union Army at Prairie Grove. His march, 110 miles in less than three days, was the greatest forced march of the Civil War. His actions there brought Herron a promotion to Major General, and he was (at age 25) the youngest man to wear 2 stars since Lafayette.

Boonville Dig Successful

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:56:39 GMT

Forensic archaeologists Dr. Doug Scott and Dr. Steve Dasovich led a team through the fields east of Boonville on November 8 - 10 in search of evidence of the site of the First Battle of Boonville. This is the first comprehensive study of the battle site. The available literature, and dozens of battle relics found by the team, will be studied and plotted. Look for news of the detailed findings of Scott's team on this site.

The survey was jointly sponsored by the City of Boonville, the Historic Frederick Hotel and SCI Engineering, Inc. of St. Charles.

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Burnt District Monument Groundbreaking

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:06:18 GMT

A crowd of more than sixty individuals witnessed the groundbreaking on Saturday, Oct. 27 for the Burnt District Monument commemorating events which took place along the western Missouri border during the Civil War. The monument will stand on the front lawn of the Cass County Justice Center in Harrisonville and is a joint venture of the Cass County Historical Society and Cass County. The program featured reenactors to commemorate the suffering and turmoil endured by families living on the western Missouri border and displaced by Order #11 in 1863. More than 20,000 individuals in Jackson, Cass, Bates and Vernon Counties had to leave their homes and lost most of their possessions as a result of this action The monument will feature a 17-foot tall chimney to represent all that was left of most homesteads when settlers returned at the end of the war. These “Jennison’s Tombstones” as they were called after the Kansas Jayhawk commander “Doc” Jennison whose troops did much of the burning, were all the eye could see for miles. The site will also include a memorial brick reconciliation plaza, interpretive signs and plaques, native trees and sidewalks. The monument sign is made from a 100-year-old native eastern red cedar from the 700 block of East Pearl in Harrisonville. The tree was sawed into three sections, each 4” thick, 14” wide and 12’, 4” long. Fundraising is underway to ensure that the stories of those who suffered the devastation on the western Missouri border will not be forgotten.

Doug Scott Returns

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:12:01 GMT

Doug Scott will head up an archaeological survey of the site of the First Battle of Boonville, November 8, 9 and 10, 2007. Dr. Scott, who retired last year from the National Park Serviice, is considered to be one of the country's leading forensic archaeologists. This is his third trip to Missouri (his native state) to explore Missouri battlefields.

Hildebrand, Sam

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:40:14 GMT

Son of one of the early settlers of St. Francois County, Hildebrand had his baptism in 1861, when federal sympathizers captured and lynched his brother Frank. Later, federal troops shot and killed a 13 year old brother, Henry, and burned the family home. Hildebrand traveled south and was allegedly commissioned a “major” by Jeff Thompson, and periodically returned to his haunts in St. Francois County. Hildebrand became a notorious killer during and after the War, and the story of his life is legendary in southeast Missouri. Throughout the War, he carried old “Kill-Devil,” his musket, and when it was recovered after his death it had 80 notches carved in its stock, it is said. In 1872, Hildebrand was involved in a gunfight in the town of Pinckneyville, Illinois, and was shot dead. His body was returned to St. Francois County, and he was buried in Hampton Cemetery, in Elvins, just southwest of Park Hills.

$14,000 in Grants for Arrow Rock Trail Interpretation

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 14:46:01 GMT

Mary Duncan, President of the Manitou Bluffs Mid-Missouri Chapter of the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, announced that the Chapter has received two grants totaling $14,000 for interpretation and upgrading of the Historic River Landing Trail in Arrow Rock. $4,000 is from a National Park Service Lewis & Clark National Historic Trails Challenge Cost Share Grant. This money will provide for erosion work on the trail as well as for two interpretive signs. A $10,000 grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Foundation will fund five additional signs and a brochure for the Arrow Rock Historic River Landing Trail. The River Landing Trail can be accessed near the end of Main Street. It connects with the Lewis & Clark Discovery Trail on the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and is approximately a one-half mile walk on a gravel path to the Missouri River. By the mid-19th century Arrow Rock was one of the busiest trade centers on the lower Missouri River. Evidence of this was the report that in 1858 Arrow Rock shipped 7,135 bales of hemp, equaling 1,427 tons, for a total value of $128,120. The interpretive signs will aid in understanding the vital role steamboat transportation played in Arrow Rock’s history. The Manitou Bluffs Chapter was also instrumental in securing grants to construct both trails. They worked closely with the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and the Friends of the Big Muddy. Arrow Rock, a National Historic Landmark village, is located 14 miles north of I-70 on Hwy 41. The Arrow Rock State Historic Site Visitor Center Museum is open daily 10-4 offering an orientation film and exhibits about the settlement of the Boonslick. The Friends of Arrow Rock offer walking tours on Saturdays in May and will begin a new tram tour Monday-Saturday beginning in June. Featured buildings are the home of artist George Caleb Bingham and gunsmith John P. Sites. The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre opens its season June 8 with a production of “Into the Woods.” Numerous shops, restaurants, and B & Bs welcome guests. Arrow Rock was listed on one of the 100 Best Small Town Getaways in the June 2007 Issue of Midwest Living.

PACIFIC CHAMBER TO SPONSOR PANEL

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:51:32 GMT

The City of Pacific will erect an interpretative panel commemorating the events of the Civil War in that town, it was announced. The panel will be placed as part of a Plaza being constructed near the junction of the historic Pacific Railroad and its southwest branch, and features a story about how the war affected those railroads. The City in west St. Louis County was the scene of a battle during Price's 1864 Expedition, and this was the battle closest to St. Louis during the entire war.

ARCHAEOLOGY SURVEY IN WAVERLY

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 22:29:33 GMT

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 is the day set for an archaeological survey in Waverly, Missouri. A joint project of the Missouri Valley College's Department of Anthropology, Waverly Citizens for Progress, and Missouri's Civil War Heritage Foundation, the survey is being conducted by a team headed by Dr. Tim Baumann of Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri. Waverly is the hometown of Confederate General Joseph Orville Shelby, and a prime target of the survey is to locate General Shelby's home, which was destroyed during the Civil War. For more information, contact Mike Duncan at 660-837-3398, or Elizabeth Keen, Marketing Associate for Missouri’s Civil War Heritage Foundation, at 314-361-4925.

VERNON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:33:50 GMT

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The Marshall Civil War Heritage Trail

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 16:58:40 GMT

The Marshall Civil War Heritage Trail committee is asking its community members for help in telling the stories of individuals who played some part in the war. The project involves developing a heritage trail through town with markers located at key Civil War sites. The trail will connect with a statewide Civil War trail system being developed by Missouri’s Civil War Heritage Foundation. "http://www.marshallnews.com/story/1190414.html":http://www.marshallnews.com/story/1190414.html

First National Bank of Camdenton

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:43:27 GMT

[to be added]

New Exhibit at Missouri State Museum

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:51:27 GMT

The flag of the 18th U.S. Colored Infantry, one of five regiments of black soldiers raised in Missouri, is currently on display in the Missouri State Museum’s History Hall on the first floor of the State Capitol in Jefferson City. The Missouri State Museum plans to have at least one Civil War flag on display in the museum until the Civil War sesquicentennial in 2011, when the flags will be a central part of the museum’s interpretation of the Civil War from 2011-2015. "http://www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/nr07_048.htm":http://www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/nr07_048.htm