Month

The first major land battle of the Civil War, July 5, 1861, began several miles north of Carthage, and concluded in the city proper. Colonel Franz Sigel conducted a masterful retreat in the face of advancing Missouri State Guard troops who fought their first battle like veterans.

Battle on 10/22/1864 by Union troops to delay Shelby’s advance on Kansas City, and was opening operation in the Battle of Westport. Defended by CSA troops under J.S. Marmaduke on 10/23/64 to block Pleasonton’s cavalry’s approach to Westport.

Several battles and skirmishes were fought in and around the city of Cape Girardeau. Most notable was a battle on April 26, 1863 when Confederate Gen. John S. Marmaduke attacked the Union troops staioned in Cape Girardeau under the command of Gen John McNeill.

The town of Fredericktown changed hands twice, October 17 and 21, 1861, as union forces closed in on a State Guard invasion force under M. Jeff Thompson. The battle site is in good condition, and viewable from the town cemetery. It is not protected.

Now the site of St. Louis University and a Mid-Town cultural center known as Grand Center, the area once known as Lindell’s Grove was the camp site of the Missouri State Militia in May, 1861. On the 10th of May, regular U.S. troops and specially enrolled home guard units under...

A small, brutal battle took place here on August 16, 1862. Efforts to preserve and expand the site are under way under the auspices of The Friends of Historic Lone Jack, Inc.

Forces under John McNeil inflicted a major defeat on Col. Joseph Porter’s command in a battle fought throughout the town on August 6, 1862, bringing to an end Porter’s famous 1862 raid into northeast Missouri.

Site along the Iowa border in extreme northeast Missouri was the scene of the battle of August 5, 1861. The Battle of Athens was the northern-most battle fought in the American Civil War.

Scene of the Battle of Belmont, U.S. Grant’s first battle (November 7,1861), is marked by an interpretive panel located at the river at the east end of State highway 80. The battlefield is in a pristine state, but is in private ownership.

The West’s “Bull Run,” this battle on August 10, 1861 was a gamble by Union commander Nathaniel Lyon, who struck a blow against overwhelming numbers of Confederate and State Guard troops camped here for a planned attack on Springfield. Lyon was killed at the...